The end result wasn't what I was hoping for, but thanks to Almadenmike for the commentary! Reading through the last page of this thread right now was fairly exciting.

The ladies did a good job clawing their way back into the mix, though.

(05-11-2018 01:40 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  A deep shot into the right-rear corner couldn't be returned.

Match is over at 7-6. Aggies win, 4-3. Sigh.

What a great effort!!

I believe what happened at 6-6 was that Durkin (Rice) called the ball out and was overruled by the chair umpire (from the little I saw of the 3rd set, Durkin and the chair did not get along), who was on the other side of the court. That made it 7-6. However, that was (apparently) the 3rd time Durkin had been overruled, which is an automatic point for A&M, thus the tie-break score was 8-6. Have never seen or heard of an ending like that in college tennis.

@AggieWTEN:
Overrule at 6-6 in TB for Rice, 3rd overrule so Aggies win 4-3

I just pulled up the feeds in the final couple of games there, but it was a ridiculously tense finish.

(05-11-2018 01:44 PM)chrisc Wrote:  I've never heard of a tiebreak that wasn't "win by two".

I hadn't either ... or the one-point deuce winner either before this year. But I guess as long as everyone knows and agrees on the "drop dead" rules, it's fine.

(05-11-2018 01:46 PM)Jonathan Yardley Wrote:  

(05-11-2018 01:40 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  A deep shot into the right-rear corner couldn't be returned.

Match is over at 7-6. Aggies win, 4-3. Sigh.

What a great effort!!

I believe what happened at 6-6 was that Durkin (Rice) called the ball out and was overruled by the chair umpire (from the little I saw of the 3rd set, Durkin and the chair did not get along), who was on the other side of the court. That made it 7-6. However, that was (apparently) the 3rd time Durkin had been overruled, which is an automatic point for A&M, thus the tie-break score was 8-6. Have never seen or heard of an ending like that in college tennis.

@AggieWTEN:
Overrule at 6-6 in TB for Rice, 3rd overrule so Aggies win 4-3

I just pulled up the feeds in the final couple of games there, but it was a ridiculously tense finish.

Wow!! Thanks, Jonathan. That's way beyond my current-rules tennis knowledge. What an awful way to end.

Savannah did shout some salty language from time to time when she didn't hit the shots that she wanted. I wonder if the ump took offense.

The winning of the point wasn't the issue.

The umpire overuled Savannah's call and since that was the third overrule of the match, the point was awarded to A&M. Rather questionable was to end an NCAA match, especially when the umpire was on the other side of the court.

(05-11-2018 01:46 PM)Jonathan Yardley Wrote:  

(05-11-2018 01:40 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  A deep shot into the right-rear corner couldn't be returned.

Match is over at 7-6. Aggies win, 4-3. Sigh.

What a great effort!!

I believe what happened at 6-6 was that Durkin (Rice) called the ball out and was overruled by the chair umpire (from the little I saw of the 3rd set, Durkin and the chair did not get along), who was on the other side of the court. That made it 7-6. However, that was (apparently) the 3rd time Durkin had been overruled, which is an automatic point for A&M, thus the tie-break score was 8-6. Have never seen or heard of an ending like that in college tennis.

@AggieWTEN:
Overrule at 6-6 in TB for Rice, 3rd overrule so Aggies win 4-3

I just pulled up the feeds in the final couple of games there, but it was a ridiculously tense finish.

That would make more sense, thanks. Ugh, what a frustrating ending.

When Rice and A&M played earlier this year there was quite a bit of animousity fueled by A&M being overruled on a couple of calls that were pretty obvious.

I believe the A&M coach has vowed "never" to play Rice again. I think Elizabeth's response was "we'll try to live without you" as she walked away with the victory.

(05-11-2018 01:46 PM)Jonathan Yardley Wrote:  I believe what happened at 6-6 was that Durkin (Rice) called the ball out and was overruled by the chair umpire (from the little I saw of the 3rd set, Durkin and the chair did not get along), who was on the other side of the court. That made it 7-6. However, that was (apparently) the 3rd time Durkin had been overruled, which is an automatic point for A&M, thus the tie-break score was 8-6. Have never seen or heard of an ending like that in college tennis.

@AggieWTEN:
Overrule at 6-6 in TB for Rice, 3rd overrule so Aggies win 4-3

I just pulled up the feeds in the final couple of games there, but it was a ridiculously tense finish.

In a dual match many years ago, the Barkers lost their doubles match -- causing Rice to lose the doubles point -- on an overrule at match point. It was a big match, so I suspect it was against a Texas school, but I can't remember specifically. Still, it wasn't the NCAA tournament, it wasn't in the dual-match clincher, it wasn't a tiebreak, and it wasn't a third overrule. So yes, today's case is really remarkable.

Women tennis always makes us proud. With two seniors leaving, I assume they cannot play anymore, how does next year look for the lady owls? How about the mens?

(05-13-2018 12:47 PM)OldOwl Wrote:  Women tennis always makes us proud. With two seniors leaving, I assume they cannot play anymore, how does next year look for the lady owls? How about the mens?

3 seniors leaving: Savannah, Wendy and Lindsey.

This next year is when the transfer of Smith a couple years back is going to sting.

(05-13-2018 03:55 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  This next year is when the transfer of Smith a couple years back is going to sting.

We do have a really strong incoming recruiting class.

Season-ending note from Coach Schmidt...

Elizabeth Schmidt (eschmidt@rice.edu)
To:you (Bcc) + 1 more Details
Dear Rice Women’s Tennis Alumni & Supporters,

Many of you probably have heard by now that our season came to a heartbreaking end on Friday with a 4-3 loss to Texas A&M in the 1st round of the NCAA tournament. It was a match filled with many different momentum swings and several singles matches that went the distance.

After a lackluster doubles point, the team fought valiantly in the singles and truly left everything they had on the courts in Austin. While I so wish the final outcome would have been different, especially for our three seniors and for all the Rice fans who came to cheer us on in Austin, we are very proud of the fight, character, and heart that our team showed in this match and all season. We have seen a ton of growth from this team and we look to build on the lessons of this year as we progress to next year.

Finally, we are extremely grateful for all the support we have received from alums, friends, supporters, family, and Rice staff throughout this whole season. You all have been there to cheer us on in victory as well as lift us up after some tough defeats. We are proud to represent Rice University and cannot thank all of you enough for your unwavering support.

Go Owls!
Elizabeth

I love reading Coach Schmidt's letters. I wish more coaches did that.