May 22, 2008
Notre Dame, Ind. – Junior Kelcy Tefft was unable to advance in the NCAA Singles Championships. Tefft dropped a close, tightly contested three set match against Fani Chifchieva of Auburn.
After dropping the first set to Chifchieva (6-4), Tefft was able to quickly rebound to take the second set with relative ease (6-2). She would continue to build on the second set momentum and jump out to a quick 3-0 lead in the third and deciding set. However, Chifchieva regained the advantage winning the next three games of the match. The two competitors would go on to exchange the next four games to move the third set to a 5-5 tie.
With the score knotted, Tefft was unable to put the match away. Chifchieva went on to break serve and hold her own to secure the set and the match (6-4, 2-6, 7-5).
Tefft made it the fourth consecutive year an Irish player made it to the Round of 32. Catrina Thompson was able to accomplish that feat three consecutive years from 2005-07.
Visit UND.com for news on the third-seeded doubles team of Tefft and Brook Buck in the doubles championships opening round on Thursday afternoon. Live scoring and video of all NCAA Division I Tennis Championship events are available through the University of Tulsa’s official athletics website, www.tulsahurricane.com.
–ND–