Stephen Madonia and Andres Andrade may be teammates at Florida, but for a couple hours on Monday, they were opponents competing to win the ITA Summer Circuit singles tournament in Gainesville.
After a historic run in the NCAA tournament and a remarkable four years as a Gator, Belinda Woolcock’s college career came to a close on Monday when she lost 6-3, 6-3 in the NCAA Singles Championship finals.
Belinda Woolcock is making her final matches as a Gator count. The senior has had a stellar NCAA tournament performance, shown most recently by a birth in the NCAA Singles Tournament finals on Monday.
Belinda Woolcock and Anna Danilina have been playing against each other in practice all season. However, on Saturday, it had a purpose.
For the first time since 2015, a member of the Gators women’s tennis team will reach the semifinals of the NCAA singles tournament. However, it will also come with a Gator loss as senior Belinda Woolcock and Anna Danilina will face each other in the semifinals on Saturday.
It was a disappointing day for Alfredo Perez and the Florida men’s tennis team at the NCAA Individual Championships in Athens, Georgia.
After a dominant win over No. 2 Stanford to win the national championship on Tuesday, the Gators women’s tennis team has already seen its fair share of upsets in the individual singles and doubles tournaments. Only two Gators out of the five selected to play in singles remain after two rounds, as only one doubles team remains after the first round.
It was another day of success for Florida sophomore Alfredo Perez at the NCAA Individual Championships, but it was a day of close calls for him in both the singles and doubles competitions.
In his first press conference of the season, coach Roland Thornqvist said he thought this year’s Gators women’s tennis team was the best team he’s had in his 16 years at Florida. On Tuesday night, they lived up to that proclamation by giving the program its seventh national championship.
Alfredo Perez will advance to the second round of the NCAA Singles Championship for a second straight year.
For the seventh time in program history, the Gators women’s team is a national champion. With a 4-1 win over the Stanford Cardinal on Tuesday, Florida punctuated what was already a tremendous season.
Standing and smiling in the middle of the court, Brooke Austin was swarmed by eight screaming Gators. After a jumping huddle with the team and assistant coaches, high fives came from every direction as “It’s great to be a Florida Gator” echoed through Georgia’s indoor tennis facility.
Entering the season ranked No. 11, the Florida men’s tennis team had high expectations for 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.
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.
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.
The UF men’s tennis team has made it to the Sweet 16 for a second straight year.
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.
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.
Hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, the UF men’s tennis team defeated both of its opponents in convincing fashion.
Solutions by The State News
