The Gators are set to compete at the Kitty Harrison Invitational this weekend, initiating the start of the 2024-25 season.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- Florida tennis will begin the 2024-25 season at the Kitty Harrison Invitational. The annual tournament is hosted by the Tar Heels and consists of eight teams. This year the field includes North Carolina, Duke, Virginia, Old Dominion, Purdue, Charlotte, and Penn State.
The North Carolina-based tournament will stretch from Friday to Sunday with action beginning each day at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. During both the morning and afternoon sessions doubles will initiate play followed by singles. With weather cooperation, the matches will be played across 12 outdoor courts with additional matches on the Cone-Kenfield indoor courts at the Chewning Tennis Center.
Florida enters the fall season with five ranked singles players, headlined by top 10 player Rachel Gailis. Gailis holds the No. 7 ranking after defeating seven nationally ranked players in the 2023-24 campaign. De Olivera reigns in at No. 29 after winning the 2023 ITA Regional Championship Title, followed by sophomore Qavia Lopez at No. 61. Alicia Dudeney is ranked at No. 103, and newcomer Talia Neilson-Gatenby rounds out the rankings sitting at No. 122.
Along with Talia Neilson-Gatenby, the Gators welcomed freshmen Nikola Daubnerova and Noémie Oliveras. The three newbies come to Florida as some of the top junior players in the world. Head Coach Roland Thornqvist sees a bright future for the 2024-25 roster and it all starts this weekend in Chapel Hill.
MATCH COVERAGE:
Full coverage of the Kitty Harrison Invitational can be found through these links:
Live Stream<https://goheels.com/watch/search>
Live Stats<https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=unc>
Admission to the matches is free and open to the public.
Current ITA Rankings:
Preseason Singles Rankings
No. 7 Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981>
No. 29 Emily De Oliveira<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/emily-de-oliveira/16979>
No. 61 Qavia Lopez<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/qavia-lopez/16982>
No. 103 Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980>
No. 122 Talia Neilson-Gatenby<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/talia-neilson-gatenby/17074>
Preseason Doubles Rankings
No. 66 Talia Neilson-Gatenby<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/talia-neilson-gatenby/17074> and Qavia Lopez<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/qavia-lopez/16982>
Preseason Newcomer Rankings
No. 8 Talia Neilson-Gatenby<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/talia-neilson-gatenby/17074>
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