The Gators wrapped up the ITA Southeast Regional at home Monday with freshman Olivia Janowicz earning the singles championship and the team of Allie Will and Sofie Oyen capturing the doubles title.
Janowicz won in straight-sets (6-3, 7-5) against teammate Alex Cercone to capture her first collegiate singles title.
All three winners qualified for the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships.
Coach Roland Thornqvist said it is unusual for two freshmen from the same school to play in the finals, but he thought both players performed very well.
“The level of tennis was excellent,” he said. “Alex tried to be aggressive and Olivia played great defense.”
However, Thornqvist said internal competition is different than competing against another school.
“It’s not always the best barometer of where a player is because some players have an easier time competing against a teammate and some don’t,” he said.
In doubles action, the team of Will and Oyen defeated UF’s other duo of Joanna Mather and Caroline Hitimana (8-4) to capture the first doubles title of their careers.
Their win embodied a week of excellent play in which both players were more aggressive than they had been at the ITA All-American, Thornqvist said.
“They were sort of finding their way in Los Angeles,” he said. “They were more aggressive this whole weekend. That’s the way they have to play.”
Despite finishing second, Mather and Hitimana played well and showed clear mental and physical improvements, Thornqvist said.
Mather, who was injured during her first two fall semesters, has practiced at full health this year and increased her already impressive speed.
“She is one of the most athletic people we’ve had in the 10 years I’ve been coaching here,” Thornqvist said. “She’s the heart and soul and one of the hardest workers we have.”
