Smekodub Earns Women's Tennis All-America Honors
May 20, 2003 | Women's Tennis
May 20, 2003
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - - Freshman Julie Smekodub became the first women's tennis player in Tulane history to earn All-America honors when she won her second-round match at the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday. The tournament is being held at Florida's Ring Tennis Complex.
Smekodub, a freshman from Brooklyn, N.Y., posted a 6-4, 7-5 win over UCLA's Jackie Carleton in the second round to reach the Round of 16. All players who reach the Round of the 16 in the NCAA Tournament singles draw are automatically awarded All-America status. Carleton is currently ranked 20th by the ITA, while Smekodub is ranked 33rd.
"It feels great to defeat a player like Jackie, because she is a good player," Smekodub said. "And it feels great to be an All-American. I'm getting better and gaining more confidence. I feel like I should be advancing in the tournament, because I'm playing with a lot more confidence."
"Julie played a very smart, determined match today," Tulane head coach David Schumacher said. "She was down 4-0 in the second set, but never gave up and came back to win 7-5. I think she was just mentally tougher today."
In addition, Smekodub teamed up with fellow Tulane freshman Jenny Kuhn to post a win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament doubles draw as the 10th-ranked duo posted a 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 win over Oklahoma's 30th-ranked team of Heather Saluri and Anda Perianu to reach the Round of 16.
Smekodub continues action in the singles portion of the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday when she faces No. 6 seed Racquel Kops-Jones from California in the Round of 16. She and Kuhn will meet Georgia's Lori Grey and Agata Cioroch in the second round of the doubles draw. The Georgia team is ranked No. 2 in the ITA doubles polls.
