Radu Reaches Round Of 16 At NCAA Singles Championship

May 20, 2003

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Ole Miss women's tennis player Mira Radu continued her impressive play, dominating North Carolina's Aniela Mojzis 6-0, 6-2 Tuesday, to reach the round of 16 at the NCAA Singles Championships at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Radu, seeded 9-16, took out Mojzis in 49 minutes to advance to the third round for the first time in her career. She will face seventh-seeded Adria Engel of Arizona State, who defeated Luana Magnani, (Southern Cal) 6-1, 6-2, in the round of 16 Wednesday.

"I had a lot of confidence from my match yesterday," Radu said. I knew she (Mojzis) was a hard hitter with a big serve, so I wanted to change the pace during the points, give her some high balls as well as hit the ball hard. She got frustrated when I changed the pace. I'm happy I was able to take it all the way to the end.

"I came here with a lot of will and determination. This is my last opportunity. I made it to the second round my freshman year. I wanted to advance past the second round this year. I am really happy right now and looking forward to the next round."

Radu is 1-1 lifetime against Engel. She beat Engel 6-4, 6-4 in the round of 32 at the Riviera All-American Championships last fall. In the Lady Rebels' dual match against Arizona State in January, Radu lost 6-0, 6-4.

"Mojzis had a tough three-set match yesterday to win," head coach Mark Beyers said. "Mira jumped out to a big lead and made it very tough for her to come back. Tomorrow will be a tough match, as they all are from here on out."

An All-American and two-time All-SEC honoree, Radu is trying to become the first player since former All-American Agnes Muzamel, to advance to the quarterfinals in singles at NCAAs. Muzamel reached the quarterfinals in 1997.

NCAA SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP - GAINESVILLE, Fla.
Second round
Mira Radu (OM) def. Aniela Mojzis (UNC) 6-0, 6-2

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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