The tennis teams are back from the SEC tournaments. The girls won their championship by beating Tennessee 4-0 in the final. The guys didn't have such luck against the Vols, losing in the semis 4-1. It wasn't an upset because the Vols were actually rated a spot ahead of us in the rankings, but still. So, the girls charge into the NCAAs while the guys limp.
The NCAA brackets were released this afternoon. The guys will face South Carolina State in the first round Friday, May 8. They are the #4 national seed and will host the first and second round. The Vols and Texas are the seeds in the bottom half of our quarter of the bracket and #1 seed Virginia is the top ranked team on our side of the tournament.
The girls are the #2 national seed and also host South Carolina State on the 9th. Florida, one of only two teams to beat the girls this year, is a possible third round opponent. Of the two teams, one would reasonably conclude the best chance for a championship is with the girls. They already won the SEC, made it to the finals in national indoors, and have only lost twice. But, they are going to have to beat both the teams that topped them this year in all likelihood, Florida and Northwestern, to get that championship.
Quinton
5 comments:
I hope you will be doing a in depth story like this when the nationally ranked softball team gets there draw for the NCAAs
The women's team is by far the better bet for a title. Fla will not be a problem for them in the tourney. Fla is similar to us in that they are really tough to beat at home which is where they edged the GA women due in large part to our top girl playing arguably her worst match of the season. Retribution was taken in the SEC tourney where the girls rolled the Gay-tors. The women should make the finals for a rematch with N'Western, but the Wildcats have a tricky run to get to Finals. Wouldn't be surprising if they were upset along the way as they are not the most tournament tough team around. They are really the only team with the talent to match GA's women.
The men are playing on a lot of fight and determination. There are several more talented teams but if there were ever a year to host this tournament this is the one as the men are just too tough to beat in Athens. The guys should make the qtrs and play TN for the third time. I wouldn't count out Coach Diaz in that match, but should we win VA would be waiting which may be the end the line in semis. Diaz has already formulated a magnificent season with the group of guys, perhaps one of his best coaching jobs based on the alloted talent. It will be worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks.
anon/commenter #1, I love all UGA sports as much as anybody, but cmon already... I don't know if you're on the team, friend or family member is, or you're just a fan, but let's not pretend softball is as big on campus or in the minds of our fanbase as the netters are. Tennis is a top 5 sport for UGA, we have multiple natties (including the last two in a row) and one of the best facilities in the country. I myself have been to the complex on milledge (mostly for soccer, but still) more in the last decade than most folks who frequent this blog probably have for baseball or basketball lately, so again, I dig all our sports too, but even I know our tennis programs are simply superior in status and support to that of our middle of the pack softball team. Good luck to the girls regardless, and I hope the program continues to build along with soccer, but tennis coverage on this blog >>> women's softball. Sorry.
Yeah it is sad, these guys keep blogging for sports that yearly arent very good...aka men's basketball, but they dont appreciate teams that regularly are in the top 10 every yr-softball and women's basketball (except this yr)
Honestly -- Why should Quinton and I be expected to cover Softball, Equestrian or Tennis in depth?
What if we're simply not knowledgeable or passionate enough about those sports to cover them intelligently?
If you feel passionately that those sports are under-covered by the half dozen blogs and various media outlets following UGA, AND you are knowledgeable about it....
Then you should start a blog in that area. That's what DaugMan did with Men's B-ball. It's what Kyle did with Baseball and Gymnastics.
They didn't complain about someone else not covering the sport *for them.* They stepped up and ramped up the coverage themselves.
If you're good at it, the other bloggers or mainstream media will link to you.
You have to remember that Quinton and I have real jobs outside of blogging. It's a struggle to blog as much as we do. Not being defensive...just being honest.
There's clearly a gap for great Olympic / Country Club Sport coverage. And if you think there's demand for a writer to fill that gap, then by all means...have at it. We'll be happy to link to you.
PWD
Post a Comment