The Gators faced another challenging SEC opponent in Gainesville, falling 5-2 to the Commodores on Sunday afternoon.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- The Florida Gators came up short in a competitive 5-2 battle against No. 15 Vanderbilt on Sunday afternoon. Despite the loss on their home courts, the Gators earned two impressive singles victories from Rachel Gailis<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981> and Alicia Dudeney<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980>. Dudeney and Gailis were responsible for Florida’s two points, both posting wins against ranked opponents.
Doubles Action:
Florida started with high energy in doubles play, led by the No. 60-ranked duo of Alicia Dudeney<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> and Bente Spee<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983>. The senior duo came out strong, securing the first two games of the match, however, Vanderbilt’s No. 14-ranked pair of Sophia Webster and Celia-Belle Mohr claimed the next six. The Commodores comeback effort amounted to a 6-2 victory on court one.
On court three, Vanderbilt’s Bridget Stammel and Amy Stevens edged out Noemie Oliveras and Talia Neilson-Gatenby<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/talia-neilson-gatenby/17074> 6-3, clinching the doubles point for the Commodores. Rachel Gailis<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981> and Reagan Parker<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/reagan-parker/17708> were leading 5-3 on court two before the match was left unfinished.
Singles Play:
The Commodores carried their momentum into singles action, quickly extending their lead over UF. Vanderbilt’s Bridget Stammel secured the second point of the day due to Neilson-Gatenby medically retiring. The score on court three stood at 6-1, 3-0 when the match was retired.
Parker, was overpowered by Amy Stevens 6-2, 6-0 on court six to put Florida down 3-0 with four more singles courts still out. Sophia Webster added Vanderbilt’s fourth point to the scoring column with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Oliveras on court five, claiming the win for the Commodores.
The Gators and Commodores played out the final three matches. Court four closed out next with Spee falling 6-2, 6-3 against Trinetra Vijayakumar. Despite trailing 5-0, Florida was still determined to finish strong with Gailis delivering a standout performance on court one. Gailis defeated the No. 11-ranked singles player, Celia-Belle Mohr in straight sets. The final score stood at 6-3, 6-3 and marked UF’s first point of the day.
Dudeney also posted a point for the Gators with an impressive comeback effort at 1-6, 6-0, 10-8, defeating No. 56-ranked Valeria Ray on court two. Dudeney was able to dig deep in the match tiebreaker to post her fifth consecutive win in singles.
FINAL RESULTS:
Final Singles Results:
1. #39 Rachel Gailis<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981> (UF) def. #11 Celia-Belle Mohr (VANDY) 6-3, 6-3
2. #91 Alicia Dudeney<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> (UF) def. #56 Valeria Ray (VANDY) 1-6, 6-0, 10-8
3. #44 Bridget Stammel (VANDY) def. Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) 6-1, 3-0, retired
4. Trinetra Vijayakumar (VANDY) def. Bente Spee<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983> (UF) 6-2, 6-3
5. Sophia Webster (VANDY) def. Noemie Oliveras (UF) 6-1, 6-2
6. Amy Stevens (VANDY) def. Reagan Parker<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/reagan-parker/17708> (UF) 6-2, 6-0
Order of finish: 3, 6, 5, 4, 2, 1
Final Doubles Results:
1. #14 Sophia Webster/Celia-Belle Mohr (VANDY) def. #60 Alicia Dudeney<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980>/Bente Spee<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983> (UF) 6-2
2. Rachel Gailis<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981>/Reagan Parker<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/reagan-parker/17708> (UF) vs. Valeria Ray/Trinetra Vijayakumar (VANDY) 5-3, unfinished
3. Bridget Stammel/Amy Stevens (VANDY) def. Noemie Oliveras/Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) 6-3
Order of finish: 1, 3
TEAM RECORDS:
No. 22 Florida: 7-8, (3-6 SEC)
No. 15 Vanderbilt: 13-4, (6-3 SEC)
UP NEXT:
Florida will remain at home and host the Razorbacks on Friday, Mar. 28. Arkansas is currently unranked and is set to travel to Gainesville after a pair of road losses this weekend, falling at No. 1 Georgia and No. 21 South Carolina.
Arkansas (4-11, 1-7 SEC):
* Date: Friday, Mar. 28
* Time: 5 p.m. ET
* Site: Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex<https://admin.floridagators.com/facilities/?id=6>
* Watch<https://floridagators.com/sports/2018/3/9/tennis-women-live-video-stats.aspx>
* Live stats<https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=587642>
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