The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Tennis Left Out Of NCAA Championships
4/30/2003 | Women's Tennis
April 30, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss women's tennis team's season came to an end Wednesday, as they were not among the 64 teams selected to the NCAA Championships, which began May 9 with regionals at various sites across the country.
"Obviously we are disappointed," head coach Mark Beyers said. "Last year 10 teams from the SEC got in, and I felt like nine would make it this year. If you look at how close the matches between us, South Carolina and LSU were, it was a tough call. I would've hated to be on the committee. Someone is going to always feel slighted.
"I thought our win over LSU in the SEC Tournament would help. We also had wins over Baylor and Kansas State, who both got in. If one or two points in a given match go our way, then we're in. We have to work harder next year so that when the time comes, we only have to wonder if we are hosting or where we are playing."
The Lady Rebels finish the season at 8-14 overall with 12 of their losses coming against teams ranked in the top 30. This ends a streak of seven straight appearances in the NCAA Championships. The last time the Lady Rebels did not qualify for the NCAAs came in 1995.
Despite the team not making the NCAA Championships, the season is not over for senior Mira Radu, who is expected to receive a bid into the singles field of 64, which will be announced Thursday.
