UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > May > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDiaz’s Dogs eye NCAA title
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greetings from the press box high above the Henry Feild Stadium courts here at UGA’s Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Georgia’s No. 1-ranked men’s tennis team was scheduled to take on No. 4 Virginia at noon here on the stadium courts. But, as has been the case here all week, the match before it is running way long so, at 12:45 p.m. at this writing, the Dogs-Cavs still haven’t gotten underway.
But they’re about to, much to coach Manny Diaz’s chagrin. The NCAA tournament committee has decided to start the Georgia-Virginia doubles on the lower courts. Those who have been here before know those courts aren’t in front of the 4,000-seat grandstand and the box seats around the stadium courts. Diaz could be heard over the walkie-talkies vehemently pleaded his case to the tournament organizers but to no avail.
Diaz argument is that the Baylor-Illinois match could be over at any minute. If they start on the lower courts, they have to stay on the courts until the doubles are completed and that, Diaz reasoned, is cheating the thousands of tennis fans who bought stadium box seats of being about to see the doubles.
Of course, it could also be argued that playing in front of the big, biased crowds is an advantage for the Georgia team. But, as Georgia Tech women’s coach Bryan Shelton was talking about yesterday, the opposing teams like playing in front of the big stadium crowds, too.
Wait a minute. They just decided to wait out the Baylor-Illinois match, which is now tied 3-3 with Illinois’ Rowe leading 5-2 and receiving in the third set. Now it’s match point. Illinois wins!
So Manny got his way. Dogs-Virginia begin on the stadium courts in 10 minutes. Stay tuned for updates.
Permalink | Comments (33) | Post your comment | Categories: Spring sports
Comments
By jrm
May 21, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
What are the doubles scores, Chip?
By jrm
May 21, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
What are the doubles scores, Chip?
By 59bulldawg
May 21, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Way to go Manny! Wish I were there! Go Dawgs!
By 59bulldawg
May 21, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Way to go Manny! Wish I were there! Go Dawgs!
By gdawginkalamazoo
May 21, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Chip, Shhhhhhhhh! Quiet please.
By Chip Towers
May 21, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Georgia’s is up a break 4-2 at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles and behind by the same score at No. 2 …
Just got through interviewing Baylor and Illinois players and coaches. Baylor coach Matt Knoll just said Illinois has “no chance” to win the championship tomorrow if the opponent is Georgia. “Georgia’s just way better than everybody here,” he said.
Of course, the Illinois folks feel differently. “The only think I’ll say to that is we’ll be here at 3 o’clock [Tuesday] and we’ll be ready,” Illinois coach Brad Dancer said.
By swj
May 21, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
1.Georgia/Virginia 5-2 2.GA/VA 3-4 3. GA/VA 5-2
By Chip Towers
May 21, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Believe me, gdawgkalamazoo, it’s anything but quiet over here. That’s one of the things I like about college tennis. There’s a lot of crowd interaction.
By swj
May 21, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
7-4/5 all/6-3
By swj
May 21, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
7-6/6-8/8-3
By swj
May 21, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
9-8 (7-3)/6-8/8-3
Georgia wins the doubles point!
By Chip Towers
May 21, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
The Dogs clinched the doubles point but it took everything they had. John Isner and Luis Flores, the No. 1-ranked doubles team in the nation, needed a tiebreaker to get by Virginia’s national No. 2 team Somdev Devvarman 7-3. The Cavaliers are going to be tough.
By Bob
May 21, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the updates, SWJ
By Cuz
May 21, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
GO DAWGS!!!!!!
By Bob
May 21, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
These may be the two best teams in the tournament.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 21, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Great job Chip, don’t stop now!
By Chip Towers
May 21, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
Don’t know why it didn’t go up before but, as others have pointed out, Georgia won the doubles point. It was tight as Isner and Flores, the nation’s No. 1 team, needed a tiebreak to beat Virginia’s team, which is ranked No. 2. 7-3 was the score.
It’s equally tight in singles. Isner, Schnugg and Hunt all lost first sets 6-4. Flores and Helgeson won by the same score and Omerzel won at 4 6-2. So it’s probably going to go to the wire.
By Chip Towers
May 21, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
Matic Omerzel — known as “Omie” — just won at No. 4 to put Georgia up 2-0. Isner’s fighting for his life at No. 1, down a set and 3-4 in the second. Not quite an upset. His opponent Sodev Devvarmann, is ranked No. 2 and lost in the NCAA singles finals last year.
Nos. 5 and 6 singles are going to be the key for the Dogs.
By swj
May 21, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Georgia has won at number 3 and 4 singles
By brent
May 21, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
DAWGS WIN!
By Erk
May 21, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
UGA won 4-1 and has advanced to finals.
By Mark
May 21, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
GA wins!!!4-1
By SmyrnaDawg
May 21, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Dawgs win: 4-1; Isner goes down in #1 vs. #2 showdown.
By Chip Towers
May 21, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Georgia wins 4-1. Freshman Nate Schnugg clinches it with three-set win at No. 5 singles. No. 1-ranked John Isner suffered only his second dual-match loss of the year. It against against Virginia’s No. 2-ranked Somdev Devvarman, 6-4, 6-4.
By Erk
May 21, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
All 6 of Georgia’s singles players are ranked in the top 110. UGA has incredible depth. Even the top 5 teams only have 3 to 4 ranked singles players at the most.
By Bob
May 21, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
These ongoing updates were great, Chip. Thanks for doing that and we look forward to the same in the finals.
By Tom
May 21, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Hey Chip, I think Vince’s bedpan needs changing. You live close enough.
By BigNCDAWG
May 21, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
I wanted to go so bad, but I live 200 miles away. Thanks Chip for giving this such good coverage. DAWGS are great. They have always had great tennis teams at Ga., and what a class sports program they have from top to bottom.
Sicum DAWGS
By BigNCDAWG
May 21, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
I wanted to go so bad, but I live 200 miles away. Thanks Chip for giving this such good coverage. DAWGS are great. They have always had great tennis teams at Ga., and what a class sports program they have from top to bottom.
Sicum DAWGS
By BigNCDAWG
May 21, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the repeat.
Now it’s time for the golf team to bring home a NC.
By BoredwithBraves
May 22, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
Chip:
Thanks for the great coverage. I envy you despite this being a “working” assignement for you…what a great gig!
By Chip Towers
May 22, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
National championship match today at 3 p.m. Atlantans have plenty of time to get up here if you leave soon. Tailgating already going on around Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Weather is fantastic… . Tech women meet UCLA after Georgia’s match. Lots going on. See y’all out there, right?
By Buck Cochran in the NW
May 22, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
For everybody’s information. The question was brought up as to who wrote the headlins for columns. In case it wasn’t answered, copy editors take care of that and they can change daily.