Gators Defeat UNF in Spring Home Opener
The No. 19 Gators tallied five points across doubles and singles play in their victory over the Osprey’s. Florida now holds a 1-0 record heading into week two of spring dual play.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- No. 19 Florida opened spring dual play with a 5-2 win over North Florida. The Gators defeated UNF Sunday afternoon at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex with victories in both singles and doubles. Florida will now enter the week two of dual play at 1-0.
The Osprey’s were given an early advantage in doubles as UF had to forfeit their line three prior to the start of play. However, the Gators didn’t flinch, securing wins from senior duo Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980>/Bente Spee<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983>, and newcomers Nikola Daubnerova<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/nikola-daubnerova/16984>/Talia Neilson-Gatenby<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/talia-neilson-gatenby/17074>. Both doubles contests finished with a score of 6-3 standing in favor of the Gators.
On court one, Bente Spee<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983> and Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> had to work for their lead after being tied up at 2-2. It was Dudeney’s service game that gave the Gators the edge they needed before breaking past UNF’s Isabel Oliveira and Nicole Alfaro at 6-3.
Florida’s freshman duo followed suit after being down 2-1 to UNF’s Laurie Barendse and Anslee Long. As Nikola Daubnerova<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/nikola-daubnerova/16984> began to settle in, she used her serve to UF’s advantage, letting loose a few of the day’s most impressive and powerful serves. Fellow freshman Talia Neilson-Gatenby<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/talia-neilson-gatenby/17074> also made a statement from the service line to ultimately tally a 6-3 win over the Osprey’s.
On the singles side, Daubnerova shifted her momentum from doubles into her first dual singles showing, posting one of the most dominate performances of the day on court three. The freshman overpowered UNF’s Bartlett en route to a 6-0, 6-1 win, giving Florida its second point of the day.
Dudeney also maintained her strong form in singles play, cruising to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Barendse. Dudeney did not trail once during her match, setting the scene for her senior year.
Florida’s winning point was courtesy of Neilson-Gatenby, who put together an unbelievable comeback effort in the first set. The Loughborough, England native clawed back from a 5-0 deficit to take the first set in a tiebreaker at 7-6 (8-6). Neilson-Gatenby carried her rhythm into the second set, winning 6-4 to defeat UNF’s Isabel Oliviera and record Florida’s fourth point.
Noemie Oliveras, who followed Daubernova on court three of the Perry Indoor Facility, produced nearly the same result. The freshman cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win in her collegiate dual debut and gave the Gators their fifth and final point of the day.
Spee was the last Gator out and found herself in a battle against Nicole Alfaro on court four. Spee ultimately fell 7-5, 7-6 to give the Osprey’s a point in the singles category. UNF tallied a second point in result of a Gators forfeit on court six, putting the final score at 5-2.
HEAD COACH PER NILSSON SAYS:
UF Head Coach Per Nilsson<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/coaches/per-nilsson/2018> on the freshmen getting a dual match rep in today:
“We had a great team effort today and it was really important for our three freshmen to get real dual match action– there’s nothing like it.”
UF Head Coach Per Nilsson<https://admin.floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/coaches/per-nilsson/2018> statement on the team:
“The whole team embraced the challenges we had out there and showed their ability to problem solve, which as a coach is always rewarding to watch.”
Final Singles Results:
1. Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980> (UF) def. Laurie Barendse (UNF) 6-3, 6-2
2. Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) def. Isabel Oliveira (UNF) 7-6, 6-4
3. Nikola Daubnerova<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/nikola-daubnerova/16984> (UF) def. Aryana Bartlett (UNF) 6-0, 6-1
4. Nicole Alfaro Solis (UNF) def. Bente Spee<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983> (UF) 7-5, 7-6
5. Noemie Oliveras (UF) def. Anslee Long (UNF) 6-1, 6-0
6. Gabby Goyins (UNF) def. No player (UF), by forfeit
Final Doubles Results:
1. Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16980>/Bente Spee<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16983> (UF) def. Isabel Oliveira/Nicole Alfaro Solis (UNF) 6-3
2. Talia NeilsonGatenby/Nikola Daubnerova<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/nikola-daubnerova/16984> (UF) def. Laurie Barendse/Anslee Long (UNF) 6-3
3. Aryana Bartlett/Alisa Lyshko (UNF) def. No player/No player (UF), by forfeit
NEXT UP:
The Gators will remain in Gainesville and host ITA Kick-Off Weekend on Sunday, Jan. 26. Matches are set to begin at 2 p.m.
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