The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
NCAA Individuals
Gard Upset At NCAA Singles Championship
5/26/2004 | Men's Tennis
May 26, 2004
TULSA, Okla. - The Ole Miss men's tennis team did not fare well in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championship Wednesday, as both Catalin Gard and Claes Lindholm lost their matches at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.
Gard, the tournament's No. 4 seed, was upset by Pedro Rico of Pepperdine, in two close sets. Rico won the first set 7-5. Gard got out to a 3-0 lead in the second set, but Rico rallied to even it at 4-4. It would go to a tiebreaker, which Rico won 7-4 to take the match. Gard, the 2004 SEC Player of the Year, finished his junior campaign at 28-9 overall and helped the Rebels capture the school's first outright SEC Championship since 1992.
Gard was among four of the top eight seeds to fall in the first round, including the top two seeds and the No. 6 seed.
"The guy that Cat faced, played a great match. It's a tough way to end the season, but sometimes that's how it goes. Cat had a great season, being named SEC Player of the Year and going 10-1 in the toughest conference."
Lindholm fell to 9-16 seed, Lester Cook, of Texas A&M, 6-1, 6-3. A two-time All-SEC selection, Lindholm ended his career with a 30-9 overall record. The senior posted a 74-13 record during his three years at Ole Miss.
NCAA SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS - Tulsa, Okla.
First round - Lester Cook (TAMU) def. Claes Lindholm (OM) 6-1, 6-3; Pedro Rico (PEPP) def. Catalin Gard (OM) 7-5, 7-6(4).
