Oregon senior Daria Panova
has one last chance at winning
the only title that has eluded her
— the NCAA Women’s Tennis
Championships.
Panova has won several titles and honors during her four-year career, which includes being a three-time Pacific-10 Conference champion, 2003 Pac-10 Player of the Year and earning two All-American honors. However, Panova has fallen short in her last two attempts at the national championship.
Last season, Panova was upset in the first round by Middle Tennessee State’s Manon Kruse in three sets,
3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Two years ago, Panova was ousted in the third round when Southern California’s Jewel Peterson defeated her in straight sets,
6-2, 6-3.
This season, Panova has received her third at-large bid in the West Region, which consists of 16 other representatives from the Pac-10.
“She is pretty much one of
10 girls in the country who can win it all,” Oregon head coach Nils Schyllander said earlier this season.
Panova, a 5-foot-7 native of Moscow, Russia, will make her third consecutive appearance at the
64-player, single elimination tournament, which begins today in Athens, Ga.
In the 32-year history of the Oregon women’s tennis program, the Ducks have earned six NCAA Tournament singles bids, three of which belong to Panova.
Panova finished with a 15-7 singles record this year, increasing
her career wins total to 93 and cementing her position as first in Oregon history in the category
— 20 victories ahead of second-place holder and current teammate Davina Mendiburu.
— Alex Tam
Sports brief: Panova looks to add NCAA title to list of successes
Daily Emerald
May 22, 2005
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