May 20, 2006
Notes:
Big Ten champ Ohio State (28-1) is in final 16 for third time in last four years. Have advanced as far as the NCAA quarter finals one time in 2004 (lost to Baylor) ... Buckeyes have won 19 in a row (the nation's second longest win streak) - their lone loss came on Feb. 24 against Notre Dame ... OSU's 28 wins is the most in school history ... OSU seniors Scott Green and Ross Wilson are No. 1 in the Fila national doubles rankings ... UNC (25-6) made an appearance in the Sweet 16 for first time since 1993 and third time overall ... Tar Heels' 25 wins equal the most in school history ... These teams last met in 2004 NCAA second round - an OSU victory.
Quotes:
Ohio State Head Coach Ty TuckerOpening Statement: "I thought we got off to a good start in doubles today and put North Carolina in a bit of a bind. We met their energy level and built leads at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. It's tough to come back from that. I told the team that the only match we lost this season (to Notre Dame), we won the doubles point. We talked about owning the first 15-18 minutes and I thought we did a good job with that. We got leads on all courts in singles and won all six first sets. It was a good day for Buckeyes today, but no one's going to give us anything in the NCAA Championships. We have to earn everything. If we come out tomorrow and battle, it will be tough to beat us."
North Carolina Head Coach Sam PaulOpening Statement: "You just have to give Ohio State credit, they played a great match. They played great doubles and jumped on us early. Ty's done a great job of coaching that team. I'm going to miss coaching my seniors, I love my seniors. They've done so much, so we hate to see the year end, we just got beat by a better team today."