Gator women's tennis beats Tigers to win regional

Senior Whitney Benik is reaching for a remarkable milestone: To amass 100 career singles victories before the clock on her collegiate career runs out.

Benik kept that dream alive by winning her 97th career singles match to lead No. 6-seed Florida to a 4-0 win over Auburn Saturday evening in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Linder Stadium.

"The Gators play the best when she leads us like this," Florida coach Roland Thornqvist said. "She was outstanding this weekend."

The Gators advanced to the NCAA round of 16 for the 21st time in 22 years. The remainder of the NCAA Championships will be held in Tulsa, Okla., where Florida will play Vanderbilt Thursday at 6 p.m.

With just three more singles victories, Benik would become the seventh Gator to amass 100 wins in singles and doubles. To accomplish the feat, the Gators would have to at least advance to the national championship match.

"Whitney wants to get to a certain number in the win column so I think she puts a little extra pressure on herself," Thornqvist said. "She didn't really quite relax (in Friday's first round) and we talked about that."

Benik looked relaxed on Saturday, cruising past Auburn's Whitney Chappell 6-3, 6-0 at the No. 4 position to give Florida a 3-0 lead. Fortunately for Benik, she put her win the books eight minutes before Anastasia Revzina clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Dunja Djuranovic on court six.

Benik's final home match was a winning effort.

"When I was up 5-0 in the second (set) I was sad," Benik said. "I had to hurry up and try to win because I want to get to 100 (wins) in singles. But it was bittersweet. I am sad, but I am ready to move on."

Revzina cost Benik a win on Friday when she clinched Florida's 4-0 win over Jacksonville while Benik was just two points away from a victory. Revzina, a sophomore, credited Benik for being an inspiration for the team.

"She's our team leader," said Revzina, who has now won 14 consecutive matches. "She gives it her best. All the girls love her. She will always support any one of us."

Benik did manage to reach one milestone Saturday. She and fellow senior Lolita Frangulyan became the second class to end their home careers undefeated. The Gators are 53-0 at home during their four-year careers. The 1998 senior class of Bonnie Bleeker and Dawn Buth was the only other four-year class to go undefeated at home.

"I'm really excited," Benik said. "I feel like when we play at home no one can beat us no matter who we play."

The Gators defeated Auburn for the third time this season, adding to a 4-3 victory at Auburn on April 4 and a 4-0 win against the Tigers in the SEC Tournament (also at Auburn) on April 18. This one was one of the easiest.

The Gators disposed of the Tigers in a little under two hours.

"We played terrific tennis," Thornqvist said. "We moved the best. We looked the toughest and we're hitting the ball the best we have all year. I am really happy for them and proud of them. They have put in a lot of effort the past three weeks and it looks like it is paying off for them."