Sports | Other Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Kourtney Keegan prepares to hit a forehand during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida defeats Oklahoma State to advance to Final Four

By Spencer Thompson | May 22, 2017

As Kourtney Keegan slammed the ball onto the court, a small crowd of Gators fans roared in Athens, Georgia. The point won by Keegan and partner Brooke Austin gave them a 6-2 doubles win. It was one of the many things that came easy for Florida on Sunday, as it went on to defeat Oklahoma State 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.

Maria Torres watches her shot during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 11, 2017, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators gain some ground in second round of NCAAs

By Morgan McMullen | May 22, 2017

After round two of the NCAA Championships in Sugar Grove, Illinois, the Gators women’s golf team sits in 12th place, up four spots from the first round.

Taylor Tomlinson putts during the 2015 Suntrust Gator Invitational at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Second round of NCAA Championships canceled

By Morgan McMullen | May 21, 2017

Round one of the NCAA Championship in Sugar Grove, Illinois, was hampered by rain and wind, perhaps causing some golfers to miss out on their potential.

Anna Danilina returns a backhand during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida sweeps Texas A&M to advance to Elite Eight

By Spencer Thompson | May 20, 2017

After its first match in Athens, Georgia, the Gators women’s tennis team already knows the level of competition that lies ahead. On Friday night, Florida blanked Texas A&M 4-0 to advance to the Elite 8.

Karolina Vlckova (right) celebrates with coach Emily Glaser during the 2015 Suntrust Gator Invitational at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators off to rocky start in NCAA Championships

By Morgan McMullen | May 20, 2017

For all the noise the Florida women’s golf team made entering Friday’s NCAA Championship, one might have reasonably thought UF was a strong contender for the title. The fifth-ranked team in the nation entered the weekend following a grind-it-out style win in the NCAA Regional in Columbus, Ohio.

UF's Alfredo Perez advanced in singles play at the National Fall Championships in Indian Wells, California, with a win over Nicolas Moreno de Alboran of UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday afternoon.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF eliminated from NCAA Tournament by Defending Champion Virginia

By Mark Stine | May 18, 2017

Alfredo Perez sat on the bench and stared straight at the ground with frustration. This body language is not typical of a player leading his opponent by one set and heading into a second set tiebreak.

Alejandro Tosti hits a shot during the day one of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators falter at NCAA Regional

By Justin Ahlum | May 18, 2017

Going into the final round of the NCAA Regional, Florida's men's golf team was in prime position to advance to the national championship. But after Wednesday’s performance, the Gators will head back to Gainesville empty-handed, as their season ended with a combined 24-over in the final round, putting their total score at 27-over in the tournament.

Senior Chase Perez-Blanco played the last regular-season match of his Gators career in UF's 7-0 victory over Alabama on Friday. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said. “It’s just been the best four years.”

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF men’s tennis to face defending champs in Sweet 16

By Mark Stine | May 17, 2017

The UF men’s tennis team has made it to the Sweet 16 for a second straight year.

Ingrid Neel hits a backhand during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida to play rematch against Texas A&M in Sweet 16

By Spencer Thompson | May 17, 2017

Before the Gators women’s tennis team stepped out on the court Sunday, Ingrid Neel was thinking ahead. The lone freshman playing in her first NCAA tournament was so eager to advance to the Sweet 16 in Athens, Georgia, she wasn’t even thinking about tennis.

Kelly Grassel lines up a shot during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

UF Women’s golf prepared for NCAA Championship

By Morgan McMullen | May 17, 2017

This Friday, the Gators women’s golf team will begin its quest for its third NCAA title in program history.

Sam Horsfield completes his follow-through during round two of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 21, 2016 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators gain some ground, but still behind in NCAA Regionals

By Justin Ahlum | May 16, 2017

The No. 5 Florida men’s golf team sat in fifth place in the NCAA Regional at the end of round one on Monday. Today, the Gators bounced back and gained two positions in the leaderboard, moving into third place at the end of two rounds at Kampen Golf Course in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Mollie Stevens (17) and Sammi Burgess (2) embrace during Florida's 15-8 win against Denver on March 25, 2017, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

A look back on the 2017 Florida lacrosse season

By Jake Dreilinger | May 16, 2017

The Florida lacrosse team’s season came to an end on Sunday following a heartbreaking loss to USC – a team it beat earlier in the season – in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Gordon Neale crouches during round two of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 21, 2016, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida sits in fifth after Round One of NCAA Regionals

By Justin Ahlum | May 16, 2017

With high expectations and the No. 1 seed in the region, all eyes were on the Gators as they began round one of the NCAA Regional at Kampen Golf Course in West Lafayette, Indiana. When Monday’s action concluded, Florida sat in a tie for fifth place after shooting a combined 4-over par.

Florida's lacrosse team huddles together during its 15-8 win against Denver on March 25, 2017, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators season cut short by heartbreaking loss to USC

By Jake Dreilinger | May 14, 2017

Kygo’s “Stole The Show” blasted around the arena as emotions ran high for the Gators.

Ingrid Neel returns a ball during Florida's 4-2 win over Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Strong doubles play carries Gators into Round of 16

By Spencer Thompson | May 14, 2017

Tied at 40 all in the game and leading 5-0 in the match, Ingrid Neel stepped up to serve. With laser focus, the freshman struck the ball and delivered an ace, winning her doubles match 6-0 alongside partner Anna Danilina.

Junior McClain Kessler clinched the Round of 16 match for Florida over Ole Miss on Friday night, sending the Gators to the NCAA Quarterfinals.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF men's tennis sweeps first and second round opponents

By Mark Stine | May 13, 2017

Hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, the UF men’s tennis team defeated both of its opponents in convincing fashion.

UF freshman Grant Holloway jumps at the Hokie Invitational men's long jump final on Jan. 21, 2017.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators wrap up SEC Outdoors, prepare for NCAA competition

By Andrew Huang | May 13, 2017

Sharrika Barnett nearly caught Texas A&M’s Jaevin Reed in the last leg of the women’s 4x400 meter relay, the final event of the three-day SEC Outdoors Competition.

Junior Anna Danilina hits a forehand during Florida's 4-2 win over Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators blank Minutewomen in opening round of NCAA Tournament

By Spencer Thompson | May 13, 2017

Peggy Porter’s name hasn’t been called often. In fact, the Dallas, Texas, native’s only match this spring came in the season-opener against Depaul on Jan. 28. However, when she was put on court six during Saturday’s opening round of the NCAA Tournament, it looked like she hadn’t missed a beat. Porter’s 6-2, 6-3 win over Massachusetts’s Brittany Collens clinched the match for the Gators, giving them a 4-0 victory to begin tournament play.

UF attacker Mollie Stevens prepares to pass during Florida's 15-8 victory over Denver on March 25, 2017, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse gearing up for NCAA Tournament

By Jake Dreilinger | May 13, 2017

Last year’s postseason loss is still in the back of Florida’s mind.

UF sprinter Kunle Fasasi races in the 400-meter dash during the Florida Relays on April 1, 2016, at the Percy Beard Track.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Cameron wins shot put title, Gators roll on Day Two

By Andrew Huang | May 13, 2017

After a half-hour rain delay that featured two PSAs from announcers alerting fans that a Ford Fusion and Nissan Maxima had left their lights on in the stadium parking lot, junior Lloydricia Cameron came through for the Gators.