May 24, 2007
Athens, Ga.-Georgia Tech’s Kristi Miller advanced to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Singles Championship by defeating Amanda Fish of Vanderbilt, 6-3, 6-2, Thursday at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
Miller, the No. 6 seed in the singles draw, now faces 22nd-ranked Nina Henkel of California Friday at 10 a.m. Miller’s teammate, Amanda Craddock defeated Henkel at No. 3 singles in Tech’s semifinal win over the Bears on Monday.
“Yesterday, it was tough to get myself pumped up to play, so soon after winning the championship, but today was much better,” said Miller. “I’m getting back on a normal schedule and trying to give myself a chance. My wrist is feeling much better.”
Tech’s career leader in singles wins, Miller improved her overall record on the season to 33-10 and upped her career slate to 116-28. She reached the Round of 16 in the NCAA as a freshman and then advanced to the quarterfinals last year.
“Kristi is playing extremely well right now,” said Tech head coach Bryan Shelton. “I think having the team title already in hand, the pressure is off her, and she can just play loose. After she overcame her slow start yesterday [fell behind 3-0 in first set], she has played very well.”
Miller and partner Whitney McCray opened play in the NCAA Doubles Championship but the third-seeded duo fell to Elena Gantcheva and Kristina Nedeltcheva of UNLV, 6-1, 6-2.
Tech’s Alison Silverio, the MVP of the NCAA Team Championship after winning the clinching match against UCLA, also made the doubles field with partner Amanda Craddock, but the duo fell to Alexis Prousis and Georgia Rose in three sets, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
GEORGIA TECH IN THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kristi Miller, NO. 6 SEED Round of 64: d. Nadia Abdala, Arizona State, 6-3, 6-3 Round of 32: d. Amanda Fish, Vanderbilt, 6-3, 6-2 Round of 16: vs. Nina Henkel, California, Friday, 10 a.m.
Kirsten Flower Round of 64: l. Melanie Gloria, Fresno State, 6-2, 6-2
KRISTI MILLER/WHITNEY MCCRAY, NO. 3 SEED Round of 32: l. Elena Gantcheva and Kristina Nedeltcheva of UNLV, 6-1, 6-2
ALISON SILVERIO/AMANDA CRADDOCK Round of 32: l. Alexis Prousis and Georgia Rose of Northwestern, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
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