AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMen’s tennis, golf leads spring charge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hey guys and gals. Still in Tulsa. Wasn’t sure how long I’d be here but, thanks to the Georgia men’s tennis team, we’re going on a week.
The way we planned the trip was for me to leave if and when all three of the teams we cover were eliminated. Odds were pretty good I’d be around as those were the defending national champion Georgia Tech women, the defending national champion Georgia men and the No. 2-ranked Georgia women.
As it turns out, only the Georgia men are still alive and it will be one heck of a feat if they can remain that way after tonight. The Bulldogs draw the No. 1-ranked and undefeated Cavaliers of Virginia in the national semifinals. They’re scheduled to start at 6 p.m. EST if you want to follow it online by clicking here.
If Georgia wins, it’ll play in the championship match on Tuesday. If it loses, I’m outta here tomorrow and heading home to the fam, which I miss very much.
As for the travel log, last night I ate at El Guapo’s Mexican Cantina downtown on First Street. Food was OK but the magaritas were great.
Meanwhile, all of Georgia’s spring sports seem to be doing very well. Did you guys catch the men’s golf team’s 20-stroke win at the NCAA East Regional. Incredible. The baseball team lost its focus a little in the final series against Alabama but resumes play in the SEC tournament later this week. The softball team is in the NCAA Super Regionals but faces UCLA, which seems to knock them out every year. And the Dogs had Justin Gaymon, a junior from Stewartsville, N.J., clock the third-fastest time in the world to win the 400-meter hurdles.
I’d talk about football but haven’t been around it lately. I’ll make sure to get over and check in it when I get back to Athens. If it’s up to Manny Diaz, that’ll be Wednesday at the earliest.
C-ya.
Permalink | Comments (65) | Post your comment | Categories: Spring sports
Comments
By AltamahaDawg
May 19, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Here’s hoping you miss the fam just a bit longer.
By Chip Towers
May 19, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
In case you didn’t see from the live-scoring link on the main sports page, Georgia lost the doubles point against Virginia, which is 27-0 when winning it this season. But the Dogs didn’t go down without a fight. In fact, they drew first blood by winning at the No. 3 doubles position . Georgia’s No. 1 team fought off five match points by Virginia’s team — which is ranked No. 1 in the nation — and the No. 2 team fought back from down 7-4 to win three straight games and tie the match at 7-7. But Javy Garrapiz was broken then Virginia’s Do Inglelot held serve for a Wahoos win… . The Dogs went to the break ticked off they didn’t win the doubles point but you can tell they’re supremely motivated and confident for singles. We’ll let you know what happens.
By AltamahaDawg
May 19, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Chip, walk over there and slap whoever is working the live board and tell them to Stop monkeying around.
By GO DAWGS!
May 19, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
DAWGS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By J-Boy
May 19, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
DAWGS WIN!!!!!!!
By GO DAWGS!
May 19, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
4-3 on Hunts 3rd set of 6-0.
What is wrong with the updates?????
Go Dawgs! Bring on Texas.
By NC DAWG
May 19, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Way to go to Jamie! Won a clincher!
By Fort Worth Dawg
May 19, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
UGA versus Texas for the National Championship! UGA brings down Number 1 Virginia. Go Dawgs!
By tulsadog
May 19, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Dogs playing for the National Championship. Lots of Dogs fans at the tennis, but we need more tomorrow, ‘cause there were a ton of Texas fans out tonight. Go Dogs!
By AltamahaDawg
May 19, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Did Singh pull up lame, or did Hunt just wear him out in that close second set?
By Robert
May 19, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
Dawgs dominate in Tennis, Golf, Gymnastics and baseball. We won the SEC Basketball tournament too. It’s been quite a year so far in 08!
The football team might be pretty good too!
By tulsadog
May 19, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
AltamahaDawg, I believe he was cramping. Sad way for UVA to lose, but great for UGA.
By AltamahaDawg
May 19, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Yea, part of the game I guess. Lady Dawgs I read had some issues. Still, I would think that Hunt had quite a bit of fire, coming back to take that second, and the whole tourney riding on that last set of the night. Might not have been 6-0, but you have to think he could have won anyway. UVA could have tied up the #5, and let that slip, so..
By Chip Towers
May 19, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Hey guys. Sorry for the long absence. The press tent is about 100 or so yards from the stadium courts and I was wrapped up covering that unbelievable tennis match I just witnessed. It lasted nearly four hours and I was on deadline as soon as it ended… .
Obviously you guys know that Georgia upset No. 1-ranked Virginia 4-3 to advance to its third straight NCAA championship match. It was one of the most incredible efforts I’ve witnessed in this sport, which by the way is the most exciting way to watch tennis. It was heartbreaking to watch the Virginia kid Jamie Hunt beat succumb to severe cramps in the final and deciding set but Georgia deserves some credit for rolling in singles and pushing the Cavaliers to the point that three of their players had to use injury timeouts to deal with cramping issues. It was hot and humid here in Tulsa today, even as nightfall took over about halfway through singles. The Bulldogs, by the way, are now 14-0 all-time against Virginia and 3-0 in NCAA tournament matches… .
Georgia-Texas should be a doosie to watch as Manny Diaz and Longhorns coach Michael Center don’t like each other. Last I heard — and I wrote a story about this at last year’s tournament in Athens — they haven’t spoken ever since Travis Helgeson transferred to Georgia before last season. I’ll try to find that story in archives and post it here if tomorrow if I can remember. I need to look it up to refresh my memory. That’s all for now. It’s been a long hard night so I’ll see you guys tomorrow.
By Chip Towers
May 19, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
I’ve had a few folks ask whether the national championship match tomorrow night was going to be televised. Yes, it’s going to be televised live on ESPN-U at 7 p.m. … Now figuring out whether you pick it up or who does where is up to you guys.
By AltamahaDawg
May 20, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
Chip, do I get ESPN-U?
I wondered what the deal was with a couple of those games stuck on a point for like 10 minutes. Self, I said, that’s got to be some kind of a stoppage, or a hellova rally.
By Chip Towers
May 20, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
OK, here’s that story I wrote last year on Diaz and the Texas coach. Now I’m really signing off:
AJC Main Edition Sunday, 5/20/2007 Sports
CHIP TOWERS / Staff ctowers@ajc.com
Athens —- Imagine if star quarterback Vince Young decided to transfer from Texas to Georgia a few years ago, before leading the Longhorns to a national title. Now imagine fans’ delight when they found out he’d have been immediately eligible to play for the Bulldogs.
It could have happened, had Young played college tennis.
Check out what went down in the first round of the NCAA tennis championships here Thursday: The 11th-seeded Longhorns were toiling against unranked N.C. State on the upper courts before finally losing 4-3. A few hours later, Travis Helgeson clinched No. 1 Georgia’s 4-0 win over Florida. Helgeson played the previous two seasons for Texas, where he was twice named Big 12 player of the year. Instead, his presence in the Bulldogs’ lineup at No. 3 singles is a big reason they’re favored to win it all.
That irony is not lost upon Texas coach Michael Center, who is clearly bitter about Helgeson’s transfer.
“He was our Vince Young, ” Center said of Helgeson. “There are some things behind the scenes there. I’m not going into all the details, but it’s just not good for our sport.
“To be honest with you, it’s a real difficult thing for me to talk to the media about. It was a difficult situation; I don’t feel good about the way it transpired. There were some things going on I didn’t feel good about. But, in the end, it happened, so there’s nothing for me to sit here and dwell on.”
Center was pressed about details and whether he thought Georgia had tampered with Helgeson or broken any rules by luring him to Athens
“Well, I’m going to leave it at this: There was nothing done against the rules, but there are some ethics that are involved in our sport, ” Center said. “… For me, it crossed the line. They didn’t break any rules, but, ethically, we all have to make a decision in our life about how we’re going to handle things, and that’s up to each coach to make.”
It wasn’t the first time Center has lost a No. 1 player to the Bulldogs. Three years ago, Antonio Ruiz also made that move. Bulldogs coach Manuel Diaz adamantly denies Center’s accusations of wrongdoing
“The one statement I’ll make is there has not been anything illegal or unethical done in our program, ” Diaz said. “If I was Michael Center and I had two No. 1 players leave in the last few years, I’d probably feel the same way. But there have been a lot of players leave Texas over the years. Maybe he should be looking in the mirror rather than coming over here and attacking my integrity.”
Players take full advantage
In football and basketball, transfers within the same division must sit out a year before being eligible to compete at another school. But college tennis has a much more liberal policy. NCAA bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 allows athletes in sports other than football and basketball to transfer from one Division I institution to another and be immediately eligible to compete.
It’s a rule utilized a lot in tennis. Just look at the men’s and women’s fields gathered in Athens. Miami’s Audra Cohen, the nation’s No. 1 singles player, used to play for Northwestern. Georgia’s Monika Dancevik used to play for Miami. Zsuzsanna Fodor transferred from Mississippi State to Cal, Celia Durkin from Harvard to Stanford.
Seven of the top 37 women in the Division I rankings and three of the top 33 men have taken advantage of the rule.
For that reason and others, there is a movement afoot that tennis join other sports that require transfers to sit out a year. It’s expected to be discussed at a coaches meeting Tuesday in Athens.
“I think they should [have to sit out a year], ” said Lele Forood, coach of Stanford’s No. 1 women. “And I say that knowing it would’ve meant one of my players sitting last year. I just think it’s right. What happens is the original commitment doesn’t mean a lot if you can leave at any time without any problems. Kids will have to make better decisions initially.”
Other coaches, like Virginia’s Brian Boland, aren’t so sure.
“I mean, regular students can change schools if they’re not happy, ” he said.
Bitter end to a friendship
For the record, Georgia’s Diaz said he’d “very much be a proponent” of transfers having to sit out a year.
There’s little doubt where Center stands on the issue.
“It’s a problem in our sport, ” he said. “I think the coaches are a little bit tired of the transferring. I know I am. I think it leads to situations that are questionable. I just think it would relieve a lot of anxiety if they had to sit out a year.”
Meanwhile, a friendship has been ruined over Helgeson’s transfer.
“We don’t speak anymore, ” Center said of Diaz. “He was a friend of mine. I helped him get a couple of assistant coaches. Hell, my dad went to Georgia. … I was born in Georgia. I’ve always been very much a fan of Georgia. I’ve always been supportive of Georgia, and Manny and I were friends.
“But this pretty much severed our relationship.”
By Halberstram
May 20, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Thanks for all the info Chip. Bring the title back to Athens again, Go Dawgs!
Pretty incredible to be in this situation again for the third year in a row. Heartbreaking loss to Pepperdine two years ago, then possibly the best collegiate tennis team of all time last year, now this year would be a great story.
By CapeDawg
May 20, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Great job with coverage Chip and looking forward to tonight’s match. Glad to see the AJC decided to send you out there and hopefully this will help grow the coverage of one of Georgia’s best teams year in and year out.
GO DAWGS!
By Jeff
May 20, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Good Luck to the DAWGS tonight. I am feeling really good about this one. They may have had their toughest match already.
When UGA wins make sure this is on the front page of the paper.
GO DAWGS!
By Jeff
May 20, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Just another note, to all the Atlanta ATLA crowd. Our Alta team went to see a match this season in Athens. Watched a great match (win), had dinner downtown, hit the bars and stayed at the Hilton downtown. What a blast, incredible tennis, and a fun and inexpensive mini trip away. Keep this in mind next season!
By Stephen Farnsworth
May 20, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Best of luck to our Bulldogs tonight!! Manny Diaz’ team will be playing in the National Title Match for the 6th time in the past 10 seasons. They will have to handle an extremely tough Texas team tonight to capture their 6th NCAA Title. Beating Virginia last night was amazing, Somdev Devvarman is the best UGA will see all year. Go Dawgs!!
By UGA2001
May 20, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
UGA tennis is one of the more under-rated athletic programs in all of college sports. They are always vying for a national title, usually win the SEC (which has most of its teams in the top 30 every year), and almost always makes the final four of tennis.
The men’s golf team is almost at that level. I think between the two they combine to have over 50 SEC titles.
By tulsadog
May 20, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
I’m telling you, I’m worried it’s going to be like home-court advantage for Texas tonight if a ton of Georgia fans don’t show up. So if you’re in the tri-state area, please get in your car and start heading to Tulsa now.
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
May 20, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Bulls versus Bulldogs. Bulldogs were bred to have a flat face so they could jump up and bite the bull’s bottom lip - that is how the bulldogs control the bulls (and how the animals got their name).
By reality bites
May 20, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Hope the dawgs win it.
Too bad your Coach Diaz recruits the other teams stars to then have them immediately eligible. All division 1 schools should be consistent in all sports and have transfers required to sit out a year.
Even with that, the leghumpers still don’t win the SEC All Sports for the year.
By mexdawg
May 20, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Manny will have them ready.I remember watching him play in college.He was one hell of a player.GIVE EM HELL DAWGS.SIC EM.
By gators rule
May 20, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
That SEC All Sports Trophy for 2008 AGAIN would be the Gators!! - winning it 16 out of the last 17 years. Leghumpers, you should have enjoyed that 1 year you won - it’ll be your last for again that long.
By JC
May 20, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
HELP… Stuck in a hotel room with no ESPU, and the link Chip provided says it is not providing any live info due to ESPNU coverage. Can any fellow Dawgs provide a link with updates? Thanks in advance!!
GO DAWGS !!
By dawgs rule
May 20, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Anyone have any updates. I have no ESPNU.
GO DAWGS!!!!!
By Bob
May 20, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Someone with ESPNU, give us an update. Chip is AWOL on us.
By fletch
May 20, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
UGA just lost the doubles point
By NC DAWG
May 20, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Things are looking good right now. We’re up a break at 3,5,6 singles. The others are on surf. GO DAWGS!!
By NC DAWG
May 20, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Things are looking good right now. We’re up a break at 3,5,6 singles. The others are on serve. GO DAWGS!!
By dawgs rule
May 20, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
thanks for the updates. Keep em coming please.
GO DAWGS!!!
By NC DAWG
May 20, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Up a set at 3 & 4. Just lost a set at 6 though. Still up at 2, down at 1 though. It’s going to be close.
By volleydawg
May 20, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
NC Dawg - whats going on at the 5th slot?
By NC DAWG
May 20, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Vitulli just lost at 6, but Schnugg and Hunt both serving for the match now. Flores about to lose the second to go into the third.
By NC DAWG
May 20, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Garrapiz is up 4-2 in the second, but down a set.
By mikeuga03
May 20, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
on the 5th slot, we lost the first set 6-4, but up 5-2 on the second set
By NC DAWG
May 20, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Jamie just tied it up; score now stands at 2-2. All three remaining matches are in the 3rd set. It’s going to be very close. GO DAWGS!
By volleydawg
May 20, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
I am assuming Chip is not allowed to give updates due to NCAA requests..anyone else hear if that’s the case?
How does Helgeson look?
By NC DAWG
May 20, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
ALL MATCHES IN THE 3rd SET: HELGESON 3-3 FLORES 4-1 GARRAPIZ 2-0
By PVB Dawg
May 20, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Okay, it’s 10:40 P.M. Need an update on the Dawgs. This one is a nail-biter! Can’t get ESPNU. This is a grudge match and these guys want us badly, but we can’t succumb! GO DAWGS!
By mikeuga03
May 20, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Helgeson just tied the third set 3-3 and is serving.
By JC
May 20, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Match tied 2-2 - dawgs are up in 2 of 3 left but very tight
By JC
May 20, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
DAWGS UP 3-2!!!
By NC DAWG
May 20, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
DAWGS WIN, DAWGS WIN!!!!!!! HELGESON CLINCHES!
By fletch
May 20, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
DAWGS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
By Hoopergdawg
May 20, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
4-2 dawgs!!!
By chastrav
May 20, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Dawgs win again!!!!
By JC
May 20, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
ITS DONE 4-2 DAWGS WIN !!!!!!!!!!!!
By flats
May 20, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
DAWGS!!!2008 MENS TENNIS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!!
By mikeuga03
May 20, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Helgeson and Flores just closed out their points, 4-2 Dawgs.
By chastrav
May 20, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
http://tulsahurricane.cstv.com/livestats/m-tennis/TulsaTennis.html
Final score UGA 4 - UT 2
By Bob
May 20, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
DOGS WINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By PVB Dawg
May 20, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
YES!!! Congratulations Dawgs! You make us all proud by keeping the championship trophy in Athens, where it belongs!
By dawgs rule
May 20, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF
GO DAWGS!!!!
By champdawg
May 20, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
that’s gotta hurt to have it clinched by the guy who transferred away from your school.
By JC
May 20, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
National Champs AGAIN!!
By volleydawg
May 20, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Helgeson clinches….wow, funny how things work out. Apparently the Texas wasn’t at all pleased about how Helgeson ended up with the DAWGS
GO DAWGS!! Chalk up another National Championship!
By champaigndawg
May 20, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
And once again, the Athens Banner Herald beats the AJC with a timely headline and story about the championship.
By NC DAWG
May 20, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
What a match. I can’t believe we pulled it out the way we did. Super exciting. Repeat National CHAMPS!
By PVB Dawg
May 20, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Hey gators rule, better break out the crying towel again. It looks as if the SEC All Sports Trophy will be housed in Athens again, where it belongs! And watch out for our football Dawgs. We’ll have another sweet surprise for you obnoxious reptiles in ‘08. GO DAWGS!!!
By uga95
May 20, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the updates bloggers!! I couldnt find results anywhere but I found them here!!!
2008 National Champions Gymnastics Tennis
Next will be baseball and then football!!!
Goooooooo Dawgs!!!!!!