May 27, 2005
Unseeded Stanford vs. Unseeded Stanford matchup set
Most of the talk entering the individual portion of the NCAA Championships involved Stanford supplying a record-tying seven entrants in the 64-team singles draw. At the end of the tourney, the Cardinal will be best remembered for its intrasqaud matchup in the doubles championship. This year marks the third time that one school has supplied both doubles duos in the championship match. In 1990, Stanford's Meredith McGrath and Teri Whitlinger defeated Sandra Birch and Debbie Graham. In 1982, UCLA's Heather Ludloff and Lynn Lewis topped teammates Kathy O'Brian and Helena Manset.
No seed a rarity for Stanford
For only the second time in 24 editions of the NCAA Tennis Championship, Stanford did not have one of the top eight seeds in the doubles draw. The result will be the fifth unseeded doubles champions in NCAA history. Stanford's teams of Alice Barnes and Erin Burdette and Amber Liu and Anne Yelsey become the 11th and 12th unseeded doubles teams to reach the NCAA final. The unseeded NCAA champions are: UCLA's Daniela Bercek and Lauren Fisher in 2004, Cal's Amanda Augustus and Amy Jensen in 1998, Arizona's Alix Creek and Michelle Oldham in 1993 and Stanford's Elise Burgin and Linda Gates in 1984.
Cardinal to claim fifth doubles crown
Regardless of who wins the NCAA doubles title, Stanford will take home its fifth doubles title. The Cardinal also won the doubles title in 1984, 1985, 1990 and 2002. That will equal UCLA for the most doubles championship teams in NCAA history. Stanford now has supplied 12 doubles finalist teams in the 24-year history of the NCAA Tennis Championships.
Liu could equal record for most NCAA individual crowns
Stanford junior AmberLiu could equal the NCAA record for most individual titles won in women's tennis. Liu captured NCAA singles titles in both 2003 and 2004. Stanford's Linda Gates won doubles titles in 1984 and 1985 and the 1985 singles crown. Cal's Amy Jensen won three straight doubles titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Burdette does better as unseeded doubles performer
Stanford senior Erin Burdette, one of the nation's top doubles players during her collegiate career, has advanced to the NCAA finals for the first time ever. As a freshman in 2002, Burdette and Lauren Barkinow were unseeded but advanced to the quarterfinals. In 2003 and 2004, Burdette and Barnikow were the top-seeded team in the NCAA draw but lost in the quarterfinals and first round, respectively.