UF tennis teams set for NCAA

This year, Florida's men join the women as tournament contenders.

By JOANNE KORTH

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 12, 2000

GAINESVILLE -- They took it well.

One after another, Florida men's tennis players Justin O'Neal, Nate Overholser and Jeff Morrison dealt with the stinging reality of gender inequity: "When was the last time the men had as good a chance to win the NCAA title as the women?"

Uh, never. But there's finally a first time.

While the women have been national title contenders for more than a decade, the Gators have their first legitimate shot at winning matching NCAA championships. Both teams are among the top four seeds in their draws.

"The women's success is something to be proud of, not jealous," Overholser said. "We just want to share the spotlight a little bit. It would definitely be nice to bring home a couple of national titles. That would be special."

Both teams will serve as hosts for the first two rounds at Ring Tennis Complex. The women, seeded second, open against Bethune-Cookman at 2 p.m. today. The men, seeded fourth, open against Florida A&M at noon Saturday. Second-round winners advance to the 16-team NCAA Championships.

"We're both very excited," said senior Traci Green, the women's No. 5 singles player. "You can see it in everybody's eyes. And I can see it in their eyes that they're very hungry, just like us."

This is nothing new for the women. The Gators (21-2) have been consistent national contenders for more than a decade under 16-year coach Andy Brandi, winning titles in 1992, '96 and '98. They have an overall record of 40-14 in 18 NCAA appearances and have played in five consecutive championship matches.

"For the first time ever we're going into an NCAA Tournament with both teams seeded in the top four," Brandi said. "It's something that should be expected of a university like ... Florida."

It's not that the men haven't tried. The Gators are making their 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance under 12-year coach Ian Duvenhage. But last year's quarterfinal loss matched the program's deepest advancement.

"We've certainly gone into the tournament as a top-16 seed many times, but the highest was eighth last year and more than likely we would go in 12th or 13th," Duvenhage said. "And if you're seeded there you're definitely a very dark horse -- a black, black horse."

Not this season. The Gators (24-3) are enjoying their best season in 25 years, needing one victory to match the school record of 25 in 1975. Led by defending NCAA singles champion Morrison, they have talented players at all six positions, which makes them favorites. "In the past, I felt on any given day we were capable of knocking off a legitimate contender," Duvenhage said. "But it would have been hard to play six matches in a row at that level. This is the first team here at Florida that has proven it can do it back-to-back-to-back. I think we can win it."

The true test, however, will come next season. Only then will Florida's national reputation move from that of a women's tennis school to a tennis school.

"Doing it over time is what I think will make the difference," Brandi said. Until then, the teams are enjoying one another's title-quest company. Two weeks ago, after sweeping the Southeastern Conference tournaments, they reunited in Gainesville for a joint celebration. "It's nice to have someone else to celebrate with, and we're all happy for them," junior Stephanie Hazlett said. "It's great that they're doing so well. Maybe we can sweep the NCAAs like we did the SECs. That would be a feat."

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