The No. 5 Florida women’s tennis team had its season come to a close in the NCAA quarterfinals on Sunday, falling 4-3 to No. 4 Vanderbilt at the Hurd Tennis Center at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
After the Commodores squeaked out the doubles point, Florida responded in commanding fashion, winning the first three singles matches to take a 3-1 lead. With three matches left to play, the Gators needed to secure just one more singles match to advance to the NCAA semifinals.
But junior Brianna Morgan couldn’t get the win on the No. 3 court and freshman Peggy Porter let a second set lead slip away, giving Vanderbilt an opportunity to overtake the Gators — a chance the Commodores capitalized on.
"We were up 3-1 on them and they needed to win the remaining three matches to beat us, and they did," coach Roland Thornqvist said in a release. "You just have to give them all the credit in the world. Vanderbilt was outstanding at the end."
Despite the loss, four Gators will see their seasons continue at the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships that begin Wednesday.
Morgan, Brooke Austin, Josie Kuhlman and Kourtney Keegan will compete for the individual title while Keegan and Austin will battle as a duo for the doubles title.
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Brianna Morgan awaits a serve during Florida's 4-0 win against Maryland on Jan. 25 at the Ring Tennis Complex.
