The University of Florida women’s tennis team plays host to Jacksonville in the first round of the NCAA Championship on Friday beginning at approximately 6 p.m. from Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex.

The other NCAA Women’s First Round match played in Gainesville features 29th-ranked Auburn (15-9) versus 35th-ranked Ohio State (19-7). That match is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Friday. The winners from those first-round matches meet on Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Gators (20-2) are the No. 6 seed in the 64-team event and are making their 26^th appearance in the 27-year history of the event, sporting a 71-21 all-time record and winning national titles in 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2003. The Dolphins (20-5) are making their second-ever NCAA appearance. Jacksonville enters the NCAA First Round having won nine consecutive matches. The Dolphins are the first team to repeat as Atlantic Sun Conference champions since UCF in 2000. JU lost to Florida, 4-0, in last year’s opening round.

Florida at the NCAA Championships

*Florida has competed in 26 of the 27 NCAA Championships, missing only the 1986 event.

*The Gators boast a 71-21 all-time record in the NCAA Championships, winning four national championships (1992, ‘96, ‘98 and 2003).

*The Gators won NCAA team titles in 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2003 and have advanced to at least the NCAA Semifinals 18 times in the last 21 years.

*Since the NCAA expanded the field to 64 teams, Florida has been a perfect 9-0 in first-round matches. The Gators are 8-1 in the second round, 22-2 in round of 16 contests, 18-4 in the quarterfinals, 10-8 in the semifinals and 4-6 in the title match.

Florida vs. In-State Opponents

Florida owns a remarkable 179-32 record against in-state rivals and has reeled off 21 straight victories against Sunshine State opponents. The last loss was a 4-3 decision on May 15, 2004 against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Championships.

Home-Sweet-Home Streak

Florida sports an overall 51-match home win streak. The last loss was a 4-3 decision on May 15, 2004 against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Championships. The current streak is the second-longest of its kind in program history, trailing only the 60 in a row compiled from 1994-97.

Notable Numbers Entering the NCAA Tournament…

*Whitney Benik has 96 career singles wins, 75 in dual match action;

*Benik also a won a combined 199 singles & doubles matches, needing one more victory to become the 16th Gator to net 200 in her career;

*Csilla Borsanyi has won 49 singles matches.

Who’s Hot?

*The Gator doubles teams! Florida has yet to lose the doubles point in any of its 22 dual matches this season, holding an impressive 57-4 record in individual dual match doubles play.

The Gators have owned the No. 3 position, winning 21 matches that have been contested (South Carolina defaulted the match, so UF received the win but it is not counted in the total). The No. 2 position has been almost as stingy, posting a 19-1 record.

*Senior Lolita Frangulyan has won 20 consecutive singles matches entering the NCAA Tournament, posting a 15-0 record in dual match action.

*Sophomore Anastasia Revzina has won 12 consecutive singles matches.

*The doubles team of Julia Cohen & Anastasia Revzina has won 18 consecutive matches together - the fifth-longest win streak in program history.

*Freshman Julia Cohen, who became the first Gator rookie to open the dual match season playing the No. 1 singles position since Anouschka Popp in 1994, sports a 13-5 singles record in her collegiate career, decisions at the No. 1 position. Cohen also sports a perfect 21-0 record in collegiate doubles matches.

*Freshman Marrit Boonstra opened her collegiate career with an unprecedented three consecutive double-bagels and posted four 6-0, 6-0 wins in her first five matches! Boonstra is 11-2 in her young collegiate singles career, while owning a 13-1 doubles mark, pairing with Megan Alexander at the No. 1 doubles position in every outing.

NCAA First & Second Round Information

When: Friday & Saturday, May 9 & 10

Where: Gainesville, Fla.

Facility (capacity): Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex (1,000)

Web Site (live scoring): www.GatorZone.com

Television Coverage: none for First & Second Rounds;

          LIVE of team FINAL on ESPNU, May 20 at 3 p.m. ET

          (replayed May 22 on ESPN2 at 2 p.m. ET)

Post-Match Satellite Feed:  none

Gainesville Regional Ticket Prices:  Tickets may be purchased in advance or on each day of the tournament.  An ALL-SESSION pass (includes men’s matches) is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for senior citizens, college students, and children under 17.  SINGLE DAY tickets for Friday and Saturday are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for senior citizens, college students, and children under 17.  SINGLE DAY tickets for Sunday are $3.00 for everyone.

Parking Information

Friday, May 9, 2008
Women's First Round
Parking restrictions have been lifted in the University of Florida Law School, which is next to the Ring Tennis Complex. Fans can park in any designated spot. TEAMS, STAFF and OFFICIALS can park in the grass lot located at the NORTH END OF THE TRACK STADIUM, located a short walk from the courts. Entrance is off of SW 2nd Avenue.

Saturday & Sunday, May 10-11
Men's First & Second Rounds, Women's Second Round
Parking is available at the University of Florida Law School, which is next to the Ring Tennis Complex. No parking decals are required on the weekends. Signs will be located next to the lot. Parking passes will not be needed. Entrance is off of SW 2nd Avenue.

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