Gators Tennis Kickoff the 2023-24 Season in Chapel Hill this Weekend
Gators Tennis opened their 2023-24 season in Chapel Hill today facing a series of highly competitive tennis programs. The Kitty Harrison Invitational will span across the next three days with Florida competing in both the singles and doubles draw.
CHAPEL HILL, NC – Florida women’s tennis kicked off their 2023-24 season at the Kitty Harrison Invitational hosted by the University of North Carolina. The Gators came out strong in Chapel Hill with upsets and new career highs, setting the tone for the rest of the year.
Today’s events proved to be successful for the Gators as Rachel Gailis collected her highest ranked career victory and Malwina Rowinska, along with Qavia Lopez, secured their first collegiate tennis wins.
Florida won three of the six singles matches in the round of 64 with Rachel Gailis, Qavia Lopez, and Malwina moving onto the round of 32. In the round of 32 Rachel Gailis defeated 103 ranked Anesssa Lee of Vanderbilt in a split set thriller. This victory counts as Gailis’ greatest collegiate win with her previous best being a win over a 115 ranked player. Rowinska and Lopez both fell short in the round of 32 after playing highly competitive opponents from Vanderbilt and North Carolina.
In the round of 32 consolation bracket, Emily De Oliveira and Sophie Willams both took straight set wins punching them a place in the next round. Bente Spee battled against defending national champion Lindsay Zink of UNC, ultimately trailing 6-3, 6-3.
The doubles side of the draw was composed of one 8-game pro set. Competing for Florida was Rachel Gailis and Carly Briggs, Qavia Lopez and Malwina Rowinska, and Bente Spee paired with Sophie Williams. Gailis and Briggs picked right back up where they left off last season with an 8-6 win over Penn State’s Sofiya Chekhlystova and Jordan Cegarra. First time doubles partners Lopez and Rowinska put up a fight against Auburn falling just short at 8-6, and the Bente Spee/Sophie Williams duo fell short as well with an 8-2 deficit.
Head Coach Roland Thornqvist commented on day one of the Kitty Harrison Invitational, “it feels great to be back playing tournaments again. Rachel stood out as someone who’s really improved from last spring. Our freshmen also showed sparks and will be important players in our quest for trophies this year.”
SINGLES:
Round of 64
Rachel Gailis def. Alexandra Viktorovit (OLD DOMINION) 6-3, 6-0
Emma Jackson (DUKE) def. Sophie Williams 6-3, 6-4
Carson Tanguilig (UNC) def. Emily de Oliveira 6-3, 6-0
64 Qavia Lopez def. Karolina Berankova (DUKE) 6-3, 6-2
64 Malwina Rowinska def. Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUBURN) 6-1, 6-2
64 Dani Medvedeva (CLEMSON) def. Bente Spee 6-0, 6-2
Round of 32
Bridget Stammel (VANDY) def. Qavia Lopez 7-5, 2-6, 10-5
Reilly Tran (UNC) def. Malwina Rowinska 6-2, 6-0
Rachel Gailis def. Anessa Lee (VANDY) 2-6, 6-2, 10-5
Consolation Round of 32
Emily de Oliveira def. Amy Stevens (VANDY) 6-1, 6-2
Lindsay Zink (UNC) def. Bente Spee 6-3, 6-3
Sophie Williams def. Reya Coe (NCSU) 6-2, 7-5
DOUBLES:
Rachel Gailis/Carly Briggs def. Sofiya Chekhlystova/Jordan Cegarra (Penn State) 8-6
Selin Ovunc/Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUBURN) def. Qavia Lopez/Malwina Rowinska 8-6
Abigail Rencheli/Gabriella Broadfoot (NCSU) def. Bente Spee/Sophie Williams 8-2
WEEKEND EVENT SCHEDULE:
Friday (9/15) – 1 doubles match, 2 singles matches
Saturday (9/16) – 1 doubles matches, 1 singles match
Sunday (9/17) – 1 doubles match, 1 singles match
#GoGators
