The Gators remain one of the nation’s top-15 teams as they enter the 2024 SEC tournament. Florida is posted at the No. 14 spot with an 11-2 conference record and is currently on a 10-match win streak.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Women’s Tennis wraps up its 2024 regular season as the No. 14 ranked team in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings. The Gators maintain its top-15 ranking after defeating the Gamecocks 4-2 on Saturday afternoon, and Rachel Gailis breaks into the top-10 after defeating the No. 7 player Ayana Akli.
As of Apr. 16, the Gators have an overall record of 15-7 and an 11-2 conference record. Florida has posted wins against several ranked SEC opponents, with the most recent victories being against then-ranked No. 27 Vanderbilt (4-3), No. 64 Kentucky (4-0), and No. 18 South Carolina (4-2). Collectively, Florida has been on the rise since February and is projected to continue on this path as they enter the post-season.
Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16143> has finally found herself on the top-10 list, representing the Gators at No. 8. The accomplishment comes after she secured her highest career win over then-ranked No. 7 Ayana Akli of South Carolina. Gailis defeated Akli in a 6-2, 6-4 dominating performance to solidify her rise in the ranks. Gailis now holds an impressive 20-5 singles record and has gone 7-1 in her last 10 matches. The sophomore has also defeated six top-100 players this season and was crowned SEC Player of the Week Monday afternoon.
Freshman Qavia Lopez<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/qavia-lopez/16283> moved up an additional four spots in the ITA ranks to No. 111 with 14 singles wins this spring. Lopez also holds an impressive 10-2 conference record, and for the third time, was nominated SEC Freshman of the Week by the league.
Carly Briggs<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/carly-briggs/16139> made a large leap in the rankings after tallying six consecutive wins for Florida. Previously No. 80, Briggs now stands at No. 68, rising 12 spots in the rankings. Briggs holds an 8-2 SEC record and has won five of her last six matches in straight sets proving her dominance on court three.
Sara Dahlstrom<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/sara-dahlstrom/16140> now finds herself sitting at No. 71 in the intercollegiate ranks. Dahlstrom is 5-2 in SEC play and has posted wins against nationally ranked No. 29 Mia Kupres (Texas A&M) and No. 25 Alexandra Vecic (Georgia).
In the doubles category, Malwina Rowinska<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/malwina-rowinska/16397> and Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16142> remain in the rankings at No. 50. The duo holds a 5-0 record since being paired up during SEC play. Rowinska and Dudeney have defeated three nationally ranked doubles pairs, No. 36 Morgan Cross/ Anet Koskel (Arkansas), No. 53 Inah Canete/ Mae Canete (Missouri), and No. 64 Ava Hrsatar/ Briana Crowley (Ole Miss). The slight dip in the duo’s rank (previously No. 45), comes after three unfinished matches.
NEXT UP:
The Gators’ will head to Athens, Georgia, and compete as the No. 3 seed in the 2024 SEC tournament. Florida received a double bye after a strong regular season and will play its first post-season match Friday morning at 9 a.m.
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