[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA WOMEN'S TENNIS TEAM

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                         HON. KAREN L. THURMAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 1999

  Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the University of 
Florida women's tennis team. Last season, this fine team won the 1998 
NCAA women's tennis championship. It was the third time the University 
of Florida won the NCAA title, and it was also the third time the team 
completed an undefeated season.
  I've been told the final game turned out to be a war of wills with 
the Gators tennis team pitted squarely against Duke at Notre Dame's 
Courtney Tennis Center. On Sunday, May 24 of last year, UF's team took 
home a hard-earned 5-1 victory.
  Just ask Number One Player Dawn Buth how hard it was to bring home 
the championship. UF coach Andy Brandi refers to her as a real fighter 
and for good reason. Her match during the championship helped seal the 
Gators' victory. She was tired. She had cramps. Her right wrist hurt. 
But she kept going, and got tougher and tougher until she clenched the 
151st singles win of her UF career.
  Let me tell you what happened. Buth lost the first set, won the 
second, was losing in the third before coming back to win three games 
in a row and take the match. Afterward, she told a local newspaper 
reporter how she was able to do it. ``I just tried to stay focused, 
stay confident and I was able to pull out the next three games.'' That 
kind of attitude and perseverance will undoubtedly take Dawn Buth and 
her teammates far, not only on the tennis court but throughout their 
lives.
  This latest victory carries on a distinguished record for the 
University of Florida's women's tennis team. In addition to three NCAA 
championships over the course of Head Coach Andy Brandi's tenure, the 
Gators have also earned 13 Southeastern Conference titles, six national 
indoor titles and finished six undefeated regular seasons.
  Congratulations is certainly in order for Brandi and last year's 
coaching team: Assistant Coach Sujay Lama, Volunteer Coach JoAnne 
Russell and Athletics trainer Kellye Mowchan.
  I also want to individually congratulate last year's women's tennis 
team: Bonnie Bleecker, Dawn Buth, Baili Camino, Traci Green, Stephanie 
Hazlett, Whitney Laiho, Stephanie Nickitas and M.C. White.
  Go Gators!

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