Sports | Other Sports Tennis - The Independent Florida Alligator

Junior Marlee Zein and senior McCartney Kessler against Arkansas on March 14, 2021. The Gators overcame the Mississippi State Bulldogs Sunday afternoon.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Women’s tennis team falls to USC, ends season 13-8

By Ryan Zehnder | May 8, 2021

Florida women’s tennis falls to USC 4-1, ends season at 13-8.

Ben Shelton on Feb. 21, 2021 against Auburn. Shelton announced his decision to forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and turn pro Tuesday.

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Gators sweep Jaguars, move on to Round of 32

By Ryan Zehnder | May 8, 2021

Gators sweep Jaguars in first round of the NCAA tournament and will play USF in the round of 32 Sunday.

Freshman Ben Shelton against Auburn on Feb. 21. The Gators kick off the NCAA Tournament Saturday against South Alabama.

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Top-seeded Gators host South Alabama to kick off NCAA tournament

By Ryan Zehnder | May 7, 2021

Top-ranked Gators men’s tennis play host to South Alabama to kick off postseason tournament.

Sam Riffice returns a ball against Auburn on February 21.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Five Gators to play in NCAA Individual Championships

By Ryan Haley | May 5, 2021

Five Florida men’s tennis players receive the chance to compete for the individual crown after being selected to compete in the 2021 NCAA Men’s Tennis Individual Championships.

Captain Duarte Vale follows through a serve against Auburn on February 21. Vale and the Gators were named the No. 1 seed in the country ahead of Regionals.

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Gators earn top seed in NCAA Tournament

By Jesse Richardson | May 3, 2021

National tournament play begins on Friday, May 7, and the men’s team begin their title hunt as the No. 1 seed and regional host while the women get placed at No. 11.

Sam Riffice readies for a backhand against Auburn on February 21. Riffice was named first-team All-SEC Friday.

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Bryan Shelton named Coach of the Year, Gators claim five All-SEC awards

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 30, 2021

Florida’s Bryan Shelton named SEC Coach of the Year

The Gators fell to TCU in the SEC final. Photo from UF-TCU game March 3.

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Gators fall in the SEC final

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 23, 2021

The No. 1 Gators fell short in the SEC Finals after No. 3 Tennessee nearly blew a 3-0 lead.

The conference tournament final will take place Friday night with the Gators set to battle the Tennessee Volunteers. Photo from UF-FSU game March 3.

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Florida skates by Texas A&M and advances to SEC Final

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 23, 2021

The Gators sneaked past the Aggies to advance in the SEC tournament. They will match up against Tennessee in the final round.

The No. 12 Gators rode high into the SEC Tournament with an eight-game win streak, but their momentum departed from the start.

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Women collapse, men roll on to the SEC Tournament semifinal

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 22, 2021

Gators couldn't continue their win streak and were sent home by South Carolina in the quarterfinal.

Captain Sam Riffice stares down his return .Feb. 21 against Auburn. Riffice is one of seven returning players from last year's national championship roster.

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Gators look to prove their worth in SEC Tournament

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 21, 2021

Both the men’s and women’s teams enjoy a double-bye before they begin the SEC championship run on Wednesday.

Sara Dahlstrom fires an forehead return against LSU on Feb. 26, 2021. Dahlstrom is the lone junior on the 2022 women's tennis roster. She is one of only three upperclassmen.

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Seniors pave way for Gators to overcome a two-point deficit

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 14, 2021

Florida seniors McCartney Kessler and Ida Jarlskog extend win streaks to boost another Gators triumph.

The Gators head into their last regular-season game. Photo from UF-LSU game Feb. 26.

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Gators cap-off regular season with a visit to South Carolina

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 12, 2021

After inclement weather plagued the skies Saturday, the No. 13 Gators and No. 24 Gamecocks battle it out in their final regular-season match.

Ben Shelton celebrates during a match against Texas Christian University March 27.

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Gators ride win streak into the SEC Tournament

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 11, 2021

Throughout the season, Florida tennis found ways to dominate the opposition and put itself in prime position for a championship run.

Blaise Bicknell's racket caught fire as he boasts a perfect SEC record this season. Courtesy of the UAA.

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Bicknell breaks the deadlock to cap-off regular season

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 10, 2021

The No. 1 Florida Gators finish with a perfect SEC record after they toppled No. 13 South Carolina, 4-3.

The singles matchups played a key role for No. 1 Florida as Josh Goodger and Blaise Bicknell pace to hold a perfect record by the end of the year.

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Grand Finale: Gators hit the road for last match versus Gamecocks

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 8, 2021

The No. 1 Gators look to take 15 in a row on the road against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

The Gators claimed the SEC title Sunday. Photo from UF-Auburn match Feb. 21.

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Gators claim SEC title after Josh Goodger’s clutch performance

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 4, 2021

The No. 1 Gators finish the season on a high note with a perfect SEC record.

Junior Sam Riffice eyes up his return against Auburn Feb. 21.

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Gators look to nail down 14 straight

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 4, 2021

In the regular-season finale, the No. 1 Gators look to achieve 14 straight wins to close the season against Kentucky.

Marlee Zein prepares a forehand return against LSU Feb. 26

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Doubles struggle, seniors lead the comeback with singles skills

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 4, 2021

Seniors McCartney Kessler and Ida Jarlskog lead the way for a singles comeback against Vanderbilt.

Freshman Sara Dahlstrom prepares for a forehand return against LSU Feb. 26

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Gators prepare to host No. 19 Vandy for senior day

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 3, 2021

Seniors McCartney Kessler and Ida Jarlskog will participate in the final home game of their college careers against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Although he missed the doubles competition, Sam Riffice warmed up for his singles bout and refused to give up a single game. Photo from UF-Auburn match Feb. 21.

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Gators get away with win over Commodores

By Jesse Richardson | Apr. 3, 2021

With another road win, the No. 1 Gators improve their win streak to 13 games.