May 26, 2005
Liu Out of Singles Draw; Still Considering Doubles
It took a shoulder injury, but for the first time in Amber Liu's career, the Stanford junior will not win the NCAA singles title. After splitting the first two sets with UNC's Aniela Mojzis in the Round of 64 on Monday, a shoulder injury that had bothered her throughout the team competition was too much for her to continue. In 2003 and 2004, Liu won her singles titles by winning all but one match in straight sets.
Two Strikes
Two top-8 seeds failed to advance past the opening round of the NCAA singles draw on Monday, marking the fewest number of ranked players to make it through to the Round of 32 since 2000 when only five remained in the draw. Amber Liu (7) of Stanford and Robin Stephenson (6) of Alabama each bowed out of the tournament on day one.
BCS Championship
The Southeastern Conference earned bragging rights among all leagues represented at the Championships after the first day of singles action, sending eight players into the Round of 32. The Pacific-10 Conference finished with seven victories in the opening round and the Atlantic Coast Conference finished in a close third with six players in the Round of 32.