UCLA Women, Georgia Men Win National Championships
5/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Tulsa Hurricane
May 20, 2008
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The UCLA women won its first national championship in its sixth appearance in the finals, while the Georgia men won its second straight and sixth overall championship at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center on the University of Tulsa campus Tuesday.
UCLA won the PAC-10's 18 national title in women's tennis while improving its season record to 24-5.
The Bruins took momentum while winning the doubles point and went on for a 4-0 victory over Pac-10 Conference rival California. Alex McGoodwin was the first to clinch a singles victory at the No. 6 position, while No. 4 Andrea Remynse turned in a 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory.
The Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Riza Zalameda, clinched the victory for the Bruins at the No. 1 position after losing the first set to Cal's Susie Babos. Zalameda bounced back to claim wins in the final two sets, 6-3, 6-2.
As it did in the semifinals, Georgia got down 1-0 after doubles but was able to bounce back with four singles wins and grabbed a 4-2 victory over Texas, thus preventing the Longhorns from capturing the national title in their first-ever appearance in the championship match.
Texas went up 2-0 when No. 6 Christian Vitulli won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, but the defending champions finished strong by taking victories at the first four positions. No. 2 Nate Schnugg, who was named the Most Outstanding Player, put Georgia's first point on the board with a 6-4, 6-2 victory. No. 4 Jamie Hunt, No. 3 Luis Flores finished next before No. 1 Travis Helgeson, who transferred from Texas two years ago, clinched the match with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Georgia finished the season with a 27-3 record, while Texas closed out the year with a 25-6 mark.
The singles competition will begin on Wednesday morning at 10:00 am, while doubles play will begin at Thursday at 10:00 am.
