[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 8374] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA WOMEN'S TENNIS TEAM ______ 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! ____________________