May 26, 2008
TULSA – Georgia Tech All-American Amanda McDowell completed her run through the NCAA Singles Championships by capturing a straight-set win over Baylor’s Zuzana Zemenova in the finals to become the first Yellow Jacket tennis player to earn an individual national championship.
McDowell dropped her first game of the championship match but won the next five to take the first set 6-2. She then finished off the Baylor All-American by dropping just three games in the second set to win, 6-2, 6-3.
The Yellow Jacket finished her remarkable sophomore campaign with a 45-8 singles record and has notched 84 singles wins through her first two years on the Flats.
McDowell became the first Yellow Jacket to ever advance to the semifinals when she did so this season and won her last four matches of the tournament in straight sets.
Zemenova won the NCAA Singles title as a freshman in 2005, and reached the 2008 title match with a straight-set victory over top-seeded Aurelija Miseviciute Sunday.
Georgia Tech Singles FinalsNo. 7 Amanda McDowell (GT) d. Zuzana Zemenova (Baylor), 6-2, 6-3
Georgia Tech Singles Semifinals McDowell (GT) d. No. 9-16 Fani Chifchieva (Auburn), 6-3, 6-2
Georgia Tech Singles Quarterfinals McDowell (GT) d. Lenka Broosova (Baylor), 6-3, 6-2
Georgia Tech Singles Round of 16 McDowell (GT) d. Tracy Lin (UCLA), 6-4, 6-2
Georgia Tech Singles Round of 32 McDowell (GT) d. Gira Schofield (South Carolina), 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 Claire Ilcinkas (California) d. No. 9-16 Kristi Miller (GT), 7-6, 0-6, 6-4
Georgia Tech Singles Round of 64 McDowell (GT) d. Amanda Taylor (Vanderbilt), 1-6, 7-6, 6-1 Miller (GT) d. Danielle Steinberg (Arizona), 6-3, 6-3 No. 9-16 Melanie Gloria (Fresno State) d. Kirsten Flower (GT), 6-3, 6-0 Chisako Sugiyama (Michigan) d. Maya Johansson (GT), 6-3, 6-4 Kellie Schmitt (Marshall) d. Whitney McCray (GT), 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
Georgia Tech Doubles Round of 32 Macall Harkins/Anna Sydorska (TCU) d. Miller/McCray (GT), 6-1, 7-6 (3)
