Tuchband and Williams Fall at NCAA Doubles Championship

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May 20, 2003

GAINESVILLE, FLA – The Virginia women’s tennis team closed out the 2003 season Tuesday as fourth-years Jennifer Tuchband (Millburn, N.J.) and Henriette Williams (Raleigh, N.C.) were defeated in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Doubles Championships held at the University of Florida. The Cavalier duo lost to No. 1 seeded Lauren Barnikow and Erin Burdette of Stanford 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round of the 32-team tournament.

The match was the first best of three set match for the Cavalier team this season as regular season doubles matches are played to a eight-game pro set. In the first set, Tuchband and Williams played the top ranked team in the nation close, only to drop the first set 6-3. The Stanford team would take early control of the second set as they built a 5-1 advantage. However, the Cavalier team would not quit as they rallied to win the next three games to bring the score to 5-4 before the Cardinal duo closed out the match.

“In the second set, we mounted a good rally but unfortunately it was a little too late,” commented Virginia head coach Phil Rogers. “Give that Stanford team credit, they aren’t No. 1 in the nation for nothing. They came out strong and closed the door in the second set when they needed to. On a personal note, it was sad for me to see Jen and Henriette’s collegiate careers come to an end today. They have been an important to our success over the past four years. I think it was appropriate that they concluded their careers on a large stage like the NCAA Championships.”

Tuchband and Williams concluded their Cavalier career after an impressive 2003 season in which they led Virginia to a 16-10 record and the second round of the NCAA Team Championships. The Cavaliers have seven players on the roster with eligibility for next season.