The Gators were met with a challenging LSU team on Friday night, falling 4-2 after five hours of play on their home courts.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.-Florida opened the weekend with a tough battle against No. 11 LSU on Friday night, ultimately falling to the Tigers, 4-2, in a tightly contested SEC showdown at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.
Doubles Action:
Florida and LSU went toe-to-toe for the doubles point, with momentum going back and forth on all three courts. The Gators struck first, as the No. 32-ranked duo of Alicia Dudeney and Bente Spee picked up a 6-4 win over LSU’s Cadence Brace and Kinaa Graham on court one.
However, the Tigers responded with a pair of victories to secure the opening point. LSU’s No. 71-ranked pair of Kenna Erickson and Anita Sahdiieva edged Rachel Gailis and Talia Neilson-Gatenby, 6-4, on court two. Meanwhile, Twilith Di Girolami and Gaby Rivera clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 win over Noémie Oliveras and Reagan Parker on court three, giving LSU the early 1-0 lead.
Singles Play:
Florida responded to the early setback, winning the first singles match of the night on court two. No. 57 Alicia Dudeney bounced back after a challenging start, powering past Twilith Di Girolami 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 to bring the match even at 1-1.
LSU took back the lead on court three, as Anita Sahdiieva came from behind to defeat Bente Spee, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. But the Gators answered quickly-Talia Neilson-Gatenby delivered a solid 6-3, 6-3 victory over Kinaa Graham on court four, tying things up at 2-2.
In a battle of top-ranked players on court one, No. 21 Cadence Brace of LSU edged out No. 21 Rachel Gailis in a thrilling three-setter, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, pushing the Tigers back in front at 3-2.
LSU then clinched the match on court six, as Gaby Rivera overpowered Reagan Parker, 6-2, 6-0, sealing the 4-2 win for the Tigers. Court five between Oliveras and Erickson went unfinished with the Gator leading 6-2, 5-2.
FINAL RESULTS:
Final Singles Results:
1. #21 Cadence Brace (LSU) def. #21 Rachel Gailis<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981> (UF) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
2. #57 Alicia Dudeney<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> (UF) def. Twilith Di Girolami (LSU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
3. Anita Sahdiieva (LSU) def. Bente Spee (UF) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
4. Talia Neilson-Gatenby (UF) def. Kinaa Graham (LSU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Noemie Oliveras (UF) vs. Kenna Erickson (LSU) 6-2, 5-2, unfinished
6. Gaby Rivera (LSU) def. Reagan Parker (UF) 6-2, 6-0
Order of finish: 2, 3, 4, 1, 6
Final Doubles Results:
1. #32 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) def. Cadence Brace/Kinaa Graham (LSU) 6-4
2. #71 Kenna Erickson/Anita Sahdiieva (LSU) def. Rachel Gailis<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981>/Talia Neilson-Gatenby<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/talia-neilson-gatenby/17074> (UF) 6-4
3. Twilith Di Girolami/Gaby Rivera (LSU) def. Noémie Oliveras/Reagan Parker<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/reagan-parker/17708> (UF) 6-3
Order of finish: 3,1,2
TEAM RECORDS:
No. 36 Florida: 8-12, (4-10 SEC)
No. 11 LSU: 20-5, (10-4 SEC)
UP NEXT:
The Gators will stay in Gainesville for their final home match of the 2025 regular season. Florida will welcome the Ole Miss Rebels on Sunday afternoon for a 1 p.m. ET matchup.
Sunday’s match will also feature a senior day celebration, honoring Alicia Dudeney and Bente Spee prior to the start of play. Doubles are set to go out first.
No. 32 Ole Miss (13-11, 5-9 SEC):
* Date: Sunday, Apr. 13
* Time: 1 p.m. ET
* Site: Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex<https://floridagators.com/facilities/?id=6>
* Watch<https://floridagators.com/sports/2018/3/9/tennis-women-live-video-stats.aspx>
* Live stats<http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=588224>
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