Gators shutout Bulldogs in 4-0 win at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
GAINESVILLE, FL. – No.14 Florida opened their weekend at home with a 4-0 victory against Mississippi State at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex on Friday evening. The Gators put on a dominating performance, extending their win streak to six ahead of Sunday’s match.
The first win of the day came from duo Qavia Lopez<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/qavia-lopez/16283> and Carly Briggs<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/carly-briggs/16139> as they defeated Jayna Clemens and Maria Rizzolo in 6-2 effort. Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16142> and Malwina Rowinska<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/malwina-rowinska/16397> clinched the doubles point for the Gators after a battle with Athina Pitta and Alexandra Mikhailuk. Dudeney/Rowinska snagged a 6-3 victory giving Florida a 1-0 lead ahead of singles.
Doubles pair Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16143> and Bente Spee<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16144> were left all tied up at 5-5 against Alessia Tagliente and Chloe Cirotte but went unfinished as the Gators recorded the doubles point.
Florida opened singles in an impressive fashion, quickly securing four first set wins. No. 84 Carly Briggs<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/carly-briggs/16139> secured the first point to extend the Gators lead with a win over Maria Rizzolo. Briggs won in straight sets posting a 6-2 victory in the first and shutting out Rizzolo 6-0 in the second.
Freshman, No. 109 Qavia Lopez<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/qavia-lopez/16283> followed with a victory of her own. Lopez defeated Athina Pitta 6-2, 6-1 pushing Florida’s lead to 3-0.
Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16142> secured the Gators victory on Court 3 defeating Chloe Cirotte in straight sets. Dudeney took the first set 6-2 and posted a 6-3 win in the second. This marks the sixth straight win for Florida.
Three matches were left unfinished due to UF clinching the win. On Court 1, No. 15 Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16143> led 6-1, 5-3 in her efforts against Alexandra Mikhailuk.
Freshman Malwina Rowinska<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/malwina-rowinska/16397> led Jayna Clemens took the first set 7-6 and led 4-1 in the second.
Sophie Williams<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/sophie-williams/16145> was also left unfinished against Alessia Tagliente. Williams dropped the first set against Tagliente 6-3, but made a comeback effort as she led 4-2 before the match was called.
HEAD COACH ROLAND THORNQVIST ON FLORIDA’S MOST RECENT SUCCESS IN DOUBLES AND SINGLES PLAY:
“A lot of positives came from us changing our doubles pairings and we feel rejuvenated now when we start the matches. You can tell right away that when we figured it out, that it started to work and they played differently. So, I think that was a real kudos to the players who have bought in and really taken that and ran with it.
In singles, I think we’re competing really well. Obviously, we’re playing well, but we’re also competing well and we’re finishing sets and today I was really happy that those who could finish quickly did, so that we could get off the courts early which is really important this time of year and now we will have fresh minds and rested legs for Ole Miss”
Singles: (order of finish 2,4,3)
1. Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16143> (UF) vs. Alexandra Mikhailuk (MS) 6-1, 5-3, unfinished
2. Carly Briggs<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/carly-briggs/16139> (UF) def. Maria Rizzolo (MS) 6-2, 6-0
3. Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16142> (UF) def. Chloe Cirotte 6-2, 6-3
4. Qavia Lopez<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/qavia-lopez/16283> (UF) def. Athina Pitta (MS) 6-2, 6-1
5. Malwina Rowinska<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/malwina-rowinska/16397> (UF) vs. Jayna Clemens (MS) 7-6, 4-1, unfinished
6. Sophie Williams<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/sophie-williams/16145> (UF) vs. Alessia Tagliente (MS) 3-6, 4-2, unfinished
Doubles: (order of finish 2,1)
1. Alicia Dudeney<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/alicia-dudeney/16142> / Malwina Rowinska<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/malwina-rowinska/16397> (UF) def. Athina Pitta / Alexandra Mikhailuk (MS) 6-3
2. Carly Briggs<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/carly-briggs/16139> / Qavia Lopez<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/qavia-lopez/16283> (UF) def. Jayna Clemens / Maria Rizzolo (MS) 6-2
3. Rachel Gailis<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/rachel-gailis/16143>/ Bente Spee<https://floridagators.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/bente-spee/16144> (UF) vs. Alessia Tagliente / Chloe Cirotte (MS) 6-4
NEXT UP:
The Gators will host No. 30 Ole Miss on Sunday at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex. The Rebels moved to a 4-4 conference record after posting a 6-1 loss on Friday evening against South Carolina.
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