NCAA WOMEN’S TENNIS : Texas Comes Back, Beats Florida With Doubles

The Texas women’s tennis team staved off defeat after singles play before sweeping all three doubles matches to defeat Florida, 5-4, Tuesday and win the NCAA team championship at Pepperdine.

Trailing, 4-2, after singles, Texas (26-3) won two of the three doubles matches before Anne Pastor and Farley Taylor defeated Jill Craybas and Divya Merchant, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, to give Texas the title.

“This team has a habit of playing inspiring tennis,” said Texas Coach Jeff Moore.

The most inspiring moment came at No. 1 singles, when Texas’ Kelly Pace held off Craybas, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, to keep Texas in the match, 4-2, and force Florida to play doubles.

“I just really didn’t want the year to end on my match,” Pace said. “I just kept telling myself that I was older than she was and more experienced and I had to play like it.”

Pace, a senior, is ranked No. 3 in the nation in singles. Eighth-ranked Craybas, a junior, played at Texas the past two seasons.

Texas, which won its last title in 1993, rolled through No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, winning both matches in two sets before Pastor and Taylor finished it off.

Texas has defeated the Gators in the NCAA tournament three consecutive years. Florida (27-3) won the title in 1992. After a loss to Texas in March, Florida had won 20 consecutive matches before the final.