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<p>Kourtney Keegan serves the ball at the Bedford Cup on Oct. 11, 2013, at the Ring Tennis Complex. Keegan will look to anchor UF during the SEC Tournament.</p>

Kourtney Keegan serves the ball at the Bedford Cup on Oct. 11, 2013, at the Ring Tennis Complex. Keegan will look to anchor UF during the SEC Tournament.

Going into the Southeastern Conference Tournament, coach Roland Thornqvist is excited for two reasons.

Reason No. 1 is freshman Kourtney Keegan, who has been named SEC Freshman of the Week twice this season. The other is sophomore Brianna Morgan, who was named SEC Player of the Week on Monday.

When opposing teams scout Florida, they are initially drawn to the Gators’ three decorated seniors — Alexandra Cercone, Olivia Janowicz and Sofie Oyen. After all, the threesome has hoisted two national championship trophies and captured three SEC titles in their four-year tenure.

But Florida’s secret weapons are its newest faces.

On Monday, Morgan was named SEC Co-Player of the Week after a dominant performance in UF’s two weekend matches. The second-year player compiled a 4-0 record and grabbed her 10th consecutive victory as the Gators outscored Kentucky and No. 5 Vanderbilt 8-1.

Morgan improved to 17-1 in career SEC singles matches. She hasn’t lost one this season.

The sophomore has been praised for picking up her play in the late stages of the season. After rehabbing from a shoulder injury that cost her some practice time over the winter, Morgan has consistently played at the one spot — above her older and more experienced peers.

“My shoulder has gotten a lot better, but as far as tennis, I think I’ve improved my backhand a lot and my net game, my volleys and my doubles,” Morgan said. “In general, I think I’ve improved as a player.”

Thornqvist would pin that as an understatement.

“There’s nobody in the country better right now,” he said.

At least in singles play.

In doubles, Keegan may have a leg up on the sophomore.

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“Yeah, [Kourtney] is pretty good in doubles, I’ll tell you that,” Thornqvist said. “She has a monster serve, big ground strokes, and she’s not afraid at the net. She’s got great courage and she can make the right play calls.”

Keegan is a coach’s dream in doubles pairings and the perfect compliment to Janowicz. The two have cemented their position as Florida’s best duo and currently rank 26th in the nation.

“Both of us are pretty confident, and we have a great connection on the court,” Keegan said. “We always know where the other is going to be.”

But stellar play is expected from Janowicz, who is also the nation’s No. 9 singles player. For Keegan, greatness wasn’t always a sure thing.

When Keegan arrived on campus last August, she worked tirelessly to improve her quickness, durability and overall fitness. She would need it to survive the long and grueling spring season and a potentially deep tournament run if Florida stays alive in the postseason.

“What we saw in Kourtney when she came here was the raw power and the talent,” Thornqvist said. “It’s really easy for a coach to see all that and say, ‘You want it now.’ But that wasn’t the play with Kourtney.”

Twenty-eight wins in singles matches, 31 doubles wins and two SEC Freshman of the Week awards later, Keegan is surpassing all expectations.

“I mean, looking at Kourtney’s numbers now in doubles, her freshman year, they’re pretty scary,” Thornqvist said. “If she can continue on this pace, she’ll be one of the best doubles players to ever play here.”

Follow Ian Cohen on Twitter @ibcohen5

Kourtney Keegan serves the ball at the Bedford Cup on Oct. 11, 2013, at the Ring Tennis Complex. Keegan will look to anchor UF during the SEC Tournament.

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