The Gators closed out their SEC home opener weekend, falling 4-0 the third-ranked Aggies.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- The Florida Gators faced a tough challenge on Sunday afternoon, as they were defeated 4-0 by the No. 3 ranked Texas A&M Aggies in a weather-impacted matchup that was played entirely in singles. Despite the effort, the Gators fell short, with the final score reflecting a difficult battle against one of the nation’s top teams.
At the top of the lineup, Florida’s No. 50-ranked Rachel Gailis<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981> had a tough test against No. 3 Mary Stoiana. Gailis fought hard, battling an injury but ultimately succumbed to Stoiana’s powerful service game, falling 6-3, 6-1.
Alicia Dudeney<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980>, playing on court two, was locked in a thrilling three-set battle against No. 15 Nicole Khirin. Dudeney took the second set in a gritty 7-5 performance, but Khirin bounced back strongly in the third set to secure a 7-6, 5-7, 6-0 victory.
Talia Neilson-Gatenby<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/talia-neilson-gatenby/17074> also battled through a tough match on court three against No. 51 Mia Kupres. Neilson-Gatenby managed to rally and win the second set 6-3, but ultimately fell short as Kupres claimed the final set 6-1, winning the match 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.
On court four, Nikola Daubnerova<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/nikola-daubnerova/16984> faced off against No. 57 Lucciana Perez. Despite some solid play, Daubnerova was unable to keep up with Perez’s consistency, eventually losing 6-1, 6-4.
The Gators had two unfinished matches when the Aggies took their fourth point of the morning. Bente Spee<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983> was in a close contest, but trailed to No. 62 Daria Smetannikov when the match was called at 5-3 in the first set. Similarly, Noemie Oliveras faced off with Lexington Reed but lost the first set 6-0 before the match was halted.
With the singles sweep, the Gators and Aggies did not participate in doubles play. Overall UF was unable to capture a point against the powerhouse Aggies, but despite the challenging results, there were positive takeaways, including the resiliency shown by Dudeney and Neilson-Gatenby in their respective three set thrillers.
FINAL RESULTS:
Final Singles Results:
1. #3 Mary Stoiana (TAMU) def. #50 Rachel Gailis<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981> (UF) 6-3, 6-1
2. #15 Nicole Khirin (TAMU) def. Alicia Dudeney<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> (UF) 7-6, 5-7, 6-0
3. #51 Mia Kupres (TAMU) def. Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
4. #57 Lucciana Perez (TAMU) def. Nikola Daubnerova<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/nikola-daubnerova/16984> (UF) 6-1, 6-4
5. Bente Spee<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983> (UF) vs. #62 Daria Smetannikov (TAMU) 3-5, unfinished
6. Noemie Oliveras (UF) vs. Lexington Reed (TAMU) 0-6, unfinished
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2, 4
Final Doubles Results:
1. #31 Mary Stoiana/Lucciana Perez (TAMU) vs. 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) no result
2. #68 Mia Kupres/Daria Smetannikov (TAMU) vs. Noemie Oliveras/Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) no result
3. Nicole Khirin/Lexington Reed (TAMU) vs. Rachel Gailis<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16981>/Nikola Daubnerova<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/nikola-daubnerova/16984> (UF) no result
Order of finish: ( )
TEAM RECORDS:
No. 61 Florida: 4-6, (1-4 SEC)
No. 3 Texas A&M: 14-1, (4-0 SEC)
UP NEXT:
Florida will get back on the road and travel to Starkville, Miss for a Friday afternoon matchup against the Bulldogs. The match will begin at 3 p.m. with doubles going out first at A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.
at Mississippi State (9-4, 0-4 SEC)
* Date: Friday, Mar. 14
* Time: 3 p.m. ET
* Site: A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre<https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/HaSnevkB4ZNiy>
* Watch<https://hailstate.com/sports/2021/1/7/womens-tennis-live-coverage>
* Live stats<https://hailstate.com/sports/2021/1/7/womens-tennis-live-coverage>
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: X<https://twitter.com/Gatorswtn> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/GatorsTN> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/gatorswtn/?hl=en>
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
