Colleges

Tennis team still has last year on its mind

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published May 13, 2005

GAINESVILLE - All season, it has resisted the temptation to dwell on the past. But now the women's tennis team is purposely reminding itself about last season in hopes this one will be different.

As defending national champion last season, the Gators lost to Miami at home in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gators admit it hasn't been easy this week to block that memory out.

"We don't necessarily use it as motivation, motivating through fear of losing. But what we like to do is say last year we didn't move forward in practice during the three weeks we had off," coach Roland Thornqvist said of the time between the SEC tournament and NCAA first round.

"So let's not make that mistake this year. Let's make sure we get better. That's the tool we use this year instead of just bringing up last year's debacle. Last year is in the back of their minds. But I don't think it helps to just stand there and keep reminding them of last year. That'll just bring up more fear than anything and that's not the way to play."

The tournament host, Florida, ranked No. 3 by the International Tennis Association, plays South Carolina State at 5 p.m. today. The winner plays the winner of the Florida State-Florida International match at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Confidence is key, junior Jennifer Magley said.

"If you don't believe you're going to win, then why are you playing the sport?" she said. "So you hear everyone saying they expect to do well. And for me. that's what's in my heart. I want us to win. Anything less will be a disappointment."

SPURRIER MYSTIQUE: Get out the remote, Florida fans. You're most likely going to need your TV to see the Florida-South Carolina football game. Whether they're bitter about his decision to coach a rival SEC school or happy he's gone, Steve Spurrier is still a hot item with Gator fans.

The Florida ticket office has had to refund 7,810 requests for the Nov. 12 game in Columbia, its largest request refunded. The usual allotment of 7,500 was distributed while 14,400 were requested by UF season-ticket holders. The refund record was 5,400 for the 2002 Florida State game.

Season tickets for Florida home games are sold out with the exception of about 110 in the Bull Gator section. If you have $14,000 you're not using, you can purchase eight tickets there.

KEEP IT SIMPLE: Longtime track coach Mike Holloway has a simple philosophy when it comes to big-time meets such as this weekend's SEC Outdoor Championships in Nashville: don't make any wholesale changes and forget about what the competition is doing.

Holloway watched four teams shuffle the order of their relays at last weekend's Penn Relays based on other teams' lineups, and none succeeded. That's why he always sticks to what got him there. "Our focus is totally on what we do," he said. "When you take the time to get a little bit too caught up in what other people do, it takes away from your strengths."

The Gators' 4x400 relay of Sekou Clarke, Bernard Middleton, Stefan Pastor and Kerron Clement has not lost this season. The Gators are trying to post their eighth consecutive top-two finish in championship meets.

Top-ranked Arkansas is the favorite, having won the past two conference titles and 12 of 14. But this is a conference of heavyweights. In the latest Trackwire rankings, the Razorbacks are No.1, Florida No.2 and LSU No.3.

"The energy at this meet is probably greater than any meet I've ever been to, and I've been to world championships, the Olympic Games," Holloway said. "There is no better competition than the SEC championships."

NO NERVES ALLOWED: The men's tennis team hosts the NCAA first and second rounds beginning Saturday, when the No. 3 Gators (20-5) play UCF at 9 a.m.

Coach Andy Jackson said first-round matches are always tough and shaking off nerves and settling in quickly are key, especially for a young team such as his. "Whether it's Grand Slam or NCAA tennis, the first round is the most difficult nervewise, particularly if it's a team it's possible you can lose to," Jackson said. "We're better than Central Florida, but they are good enough to beat us.

"If we don't handle our nerves right and we don't address the issue that it's going to be a competitive match, then it can get away from you quickly."

Florida is the No. 4 overall seed, and Jackson said sometimes the tendency is to start questioning why you're having to start from ground zero, another factor that can doom a team if it's not careful. "Everybody starts out the same," he said. "If you got in the tournament, then your season is on the line just like everybody else."

Antonya English covers Florida athletics. She can be reached at 813 226-3389 or english@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 13, 2005, 00:57:16]