The Gators will soon have a chance for revenge.
The No. 1 Florida women’s tennis team goes head-to-head with No. 15 Duke at 10 a.m. on Friday in the NCAA Round of 16 in Urbana, Ill.
The Blue Devils swept the Gators 4-0 in the regular season, making it one of Florida’s only two losses during the 2013 season.
Despite Florida’s loss to Duke in February, coach Roland Thornqvist said facing Duke’s lineup for the NCAA match will be a different challenge.
“The fact that Duke is in the Round (of) 16 is just a remarkable achievement,” Thornqvist said.
“With four scholarship players and a soccer player [Nicole Lipp] in the lineup… I know how difficult it is to be down two points almost before the match even starts, so the fact that they’ve made it this far is just really impressive. We’ll have to be ready for a powerful, yet short Duke team.”
2012 ACC Player of the Year Beatrice Capra was expelled from Duke earlier this spring due to an academic violation. Down a veteran player, the Blue Devils’ roster continued to take hits. Junior Rachael Kahan and sophomore Monica Turewicz are both out for the rest of the season due to injuries. Duke’s roster now only contains five healthy players. The Blue Devils will have to forfeit a singles match and may give opponents going forward a lead in before match play.
Thornqvist said the possibility of gaining the 1-0 lead won’t give the Gators any greater chance to win.
“They give us a lead going into it, but it is what we make it to be,” Thornqvist said. “If we’re up 1-0 before the match even starts, that’s great, but that doesn’t mean that we cross the finish line anytime sooner.”
Florida has done well historically against Duke, leading 35-5 in the all-time series, sweeping the Blue Devils in NCAA Championship matchups, 6-0.
Thornqvist said the key for the Gators’ success has always been to remain calm against tough opponents.
“This team, with the five returning players, has shown that in the past we’ve been able to handle our nerves, and that has really separated us from some other teams,” Thornqvist said. “Now, that’s a great thing to have in your back pocket.”
After grabbing two doubles match victories in the NCAA first and second rounds, Thornqvist said his team is better in doubles after working on playing inside the service box. He said the Gators are as fit and ready as they can be.
“I think everyone feels relief that they know we’re ready for it,” Thornqvist said.
“That’s what you try to urge or tell your team. When you get to this point, you want to feel like you’re prepared, and then you can live with whatever happens.”
Freshman Brianna Morgan hits a backhand to return a ball during a match against Tennessee on March 17.
