The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
NCAA Individual Championships
Radu Ends Run At NCAA Singles Championship
5/22/2003 | Women's Tennis
May 22, 2003
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Mira Radu's outstanding career came to an end Thursday with a loss to the No. 1 player, Vilmarie Castellvi (Tennessee), in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championship at the Ring Tennis Complex.
Radu, seeded 9-16, gave Castellvi a fight in the first set after getting down 0-3 early. She battled back and served at 4-5 to even the set, but Castellvi broke to win 6-4. Radu trailed 0-2 in the second, but had 0-40 on Castellvi's serve to break back. She was unable to break, and Castellvi would go on to post a 6-1 score to advance to the semifinals.
"You have to give her (Castellvi) credit," Radu said. "She's a very good player, but I definitely did not play my best tennis today. I was impatient and probably thinking more about the round that I was in than about the match itself. It was still a great run. I'm just sad because this was my last college match. I had a great four years playing for Ole Miss and I appreciate all the support from the coaches and the fans."
Radu became the first player since Agnes Muzamel, to advance to the quarterfinals in the NCAA Singles Championship. Muzamel reached the quarterfinals in 1997.
As a result of being seeded in the tournament and reaching the quarterfinals, Radu earned All-America honors for the second year in a row. She became the fifth Lady Rebel to gain All-America status multiple times. Radu ended the season at 24-11 and concluded her career with a 108-52 record.
Players who are seeded top 16 in the NCAA Singles Championships or reach the round of 16 in the NCAA Championships, or finish in the top 20 of the final Omni Hotels Collegiate Tennis Rankings qualify for All-America honors.
NCAA SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP - GAINESVILLE, Fla.
Quarterfinals
Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) def. Mira Radu (OM) 6-4, 6-1
