All-American Doubles Pair, Gailis and Dudeney, Headed to NCAA Semifinals
Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981> and Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> are undefeated in the 2024-25 season and are the first Gators pair since 2016 to earn a spot in the NCAA semifinals.
WACO, Texas- Florida All-Americans Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> and Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981> earned their place in the NCAA Semifinals after defeating Duke’s Elizabeth Coleman and Irina Balus 6-4, 6-1.
The Florida duo remains undefeated, logging an impressive 8-0 record. With the Elite Eight victory, Dudeney and Gailis have now tallied three consecutive wins at the NCAA Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Carrying over their momentum from Thursday, Dudeney and Gailis took an immediate 1-0 advantage. The Blue Devils battled to tie up the Gators at 1-1. Florida began to pull away after being knotted up at 4-4. Dudeney and Gailis won the final two games to claim the first set 6-4.
In the second set the Gators were on cruise control only letting Duke pick up a game at 3-1. Florida maintained the advantage for the remainder of the second set before securing a 6-1 victory. Dudeney and Gailis saw Duke struggle with their serve in the second set, capitalizing on the Blue Devils double faults to convert for several points.
A LOOK INTO THE SEMIS:
The Gators next matchup will be against No. 3 Melodie Collard and Elaine Chervinsky from Virginia. The nation’s third ranked pair defeated UNC in a three-set battle to earn their spot in the semifinals on Thursday evening. Collard and Chervinsky solidified a 6-0, 0-6, 10-7 win to edge the Tar Heels in the elite eight.
The 2024 tournament marks Collard and Chervinsky’s second go around at NCAA’s. The duo competed in the 2023 tournament as a 5-8 seed, falling 6-2, 6-2 against No. 11 Sofia Cabezas and Elza Tomase of Tennessee in the round of 32.
Saturday’s meeting will mark the first face-off between the Florida and Virginia pairings.
WORDS FROM WACO:
Florida Doubles coach Samantha Mannix<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/coaches/samantha-mannix/1922> on the dynamic between Dudeney and Gailis:
“Rachel and Lissy have really emphasized the importance of coming together after each point and being positive. Throughout the tournament, they have gotten better at lifting each other up in the tough times and celebrating the small victories within every match. We look forward to seeing them use that positive mentality in the semifinals tomorrow.”
FLORIDA’S DOUBLES HISTORY AT NCAA’S:
2022-2023 Season
* Dudeney and Bente Spee<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983> (No.21) made it to the round of 16
* Lost in the quarterfinals to Fiona Crawley and Carson Tanguilig (No. 11), 6-1, 6-2
2021-2022 Season
* Carly Briggs<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/carly-briggs/16139> and Marlee Zein (No.23) made it to the round of 32
* Lost first round to Ava Hrastar and Kylie Bilchev (No. 36), 7-6(2), 6-4
2017-2018 Season
* Anna Danilina and Victoria Emma (No. 17) made it to the round of 32
* Lost first round to Vladica Babic and Sofia Blanco (No. 14), 4-6, 6-4, 10-8
2016-2017 Season
* Brooke Austin and Kourtney Keegan (No. 20) made it to the quarterfinals
* Lost in the quarterfinals to Maya Jansen and Maegan Manasse (No. 34), 7-6 (3)
2015-2016 Season
* Brooke Austin and Kourtney Keegan won the NCAA Doubles Championships
* Defeated Maegan Manasse and Denise Starr
NEXT UP:
* Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981>/Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> vs. Melodie Collard/Elaine Chervinsky (Virginia)
* NCAA Doubles Semifinals
* Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
* Match Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
* Site: Baylor University’s Hurd Tennis Center
* Watch: ESPN+<https://www.espn.com/espnplus/collections/cf992aa3-b869-4996-a55a-a59c769bfc07/tennis-live-upcoming>
* Live Stats<https://ioncourt.com/tournaments/6739fbf93c78a1ac37fbea2b/live-score>
* Baylor’s NCAA Championship Site<https://baylorbears.com/feature/NCAATennis2425>
Quarterfinal Results:
Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981>/Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> (Florida) def. Elizabeth Coleman/Irina Balus (Duke) 6-4, 6-1
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