Tennis - The Independent Florida Alligator

Alexandra Cercone returns a volley. Cercone propelled Florida to a 7-0 victory against South Carolina on Saturday.

Sports

Confident sophomore leading Gators

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 21, 2013

Alexandra Cercone brings patience and confidence to a high-ranked Florida team this spring season.

Olivia Janowicz prepares to return a serve in a match against Duke in 2011.

Sports

Blue Devils snap Gators’ 25-match winning streak

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 17, 2013

After Olivia Janowicz and Danielle Collins dropped the first doubles match to Duke’s Monica Turewicz and Hanna Mar 8-4, Florida could not get back on track.

Freshman Danielle Collins returns a serve during UF’s 7-0 win against USF on Jan. 29 at Linder Stadium. Collins teamed with Olivia Janowicz to win the only doubles match for the Gators on Friday.

Sports

Gators ready for tough road tests

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 14, 2013

Freshmen Danielle Collins and Brianna Morgan will learn first hand how rowdy opposing tennis teams’ fans can get.

Gordon Watson hits a ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against St. John’s on Jan. 6, 2013. The junior won the singles event of the Gainesville ITA Circuits Draw on Monday.

Sports

Similar circumstances await UF vs. FSU

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 7, 2013

In the 2011 dual-match season, Florida started off 5-0, including three sweeps of its opponents.

Sports

Challenging test awaits Gators

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 7, 2013

The top-ranked Florida Women’s Tennis team is using the next two weeks to prepare for their most challenging opponent yet, and this time it won’t be on their court.

Sports

Freshman rebounding after struggling during fall season

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 5, 2013

Freshman Luke Johnson during his first semester playing college tennis.

Senior Billy Federhofer returns a volley during Florida’s 5-2 win against Miami on Jan. 19 at Linder Stadium. Federhofer hasn't lost a match since Feb. 9.

Sports

UF blanks Furman in win

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 3, 2013

Florida had shut out two opponents before facing Furman.

UF senior Lauren Embree returns a volley from Baylor sophomore Ema Burgic during the No. 1 Gators’ 7-0 win against the 15th-ranked Bears on Feb. 2. Embree has won four Southeastern Conference titles at Florida.

Sports

Senior earns 99th career singles victory, 100th doubles win

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 3, 2013

Florida senior Lauren Embree snagged her 99th career singles match victory against Baylor on Saturday, but winning was no easy feat.

Florida coach Roland Thornqvist (right) congratulates junior Sofie Oyen (left) and former Gator Allie Will (back) during a match against Duke on March 14, 2012.

Sports

Gators earn third straight shutout of season

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 2, 2013

The No.1-ranked Florida women’s tennis team grabbed its third straight 7-0 victory to open the season, the latest coming against No.15 Baylor on Saturday.

Sports

Florida to be tested by No. 15 Baylor

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Jan. 31, 2013

The Gators haven't allowed a point to their opponents this season, but they also have yet to be tested.

Sports

Gators bounce back from slow start in win vs. UCF

By ROBERT JUDIN< | Jan. 30, 2013

The Florida women’s tennis team won its 24th consecutive dual match in a 7-0 victory against UCF on Wednesday afternoon at Linder Stadium.

Senior Lauren Embree hits a ball in Linder Stadium. Embree won her singles match against Alabama in straight sets on Friday.

Sports

Florida begins season eying third-straight title

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Jan. 28, 2013

After winning back-to-back national titles, the Gators are thinking dynasty.

Junior Florent Diep strikes the ball during Florida’s 5-2 victory against Miami on Jan. 19 at Linder Stadium.

Sports

Junior Frenchman gaining confidence, comfort playing in U.S.

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 22, 2013

When Florent Diep enrolled at Florida in January 2012, the Frenchman had to adjust to life in the U.S. and life in college.

Florida redshirt freshman Gordon Watson hits a ball during the Bedford Cup on Sept. 15, 2012, at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Florida wins season opener against Hurricanes

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 21, 2013

Gordon Watson graduated early from Naples First Baptist Academy in December 2011 and was promptly redshirted. After watching Florida compete during his first dual-meet season in 2012, Watson got his chance.

Assistant coach Dave Balogh said his team didn't perform up to their own standard over the weekend. "I'm looking forward to seeing us build on this next weekend for our last fall event," he said.

Sports

Committed to Florida: Gainesville roots, close friendship keep assistant coach at UF

Dec. 4, 2012

Dave Balogh’s coaching career is defined by loyalty to a team and loyalty to a friend.

Sports

Federhofer and Watson claim doubles title at Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic

Nov. 12, 2012

Polished experience and raw talent were the perfect recipe for success on Sunday afternoon.

Sports

UF women's tennis has mixed performance during weekend

Nov. 11, 2012

Three Gators from Florida’s women’s tennis team entered the 32-person pool in Flushing, N.Y., and four entered the tournament in Lakewood, Fla., on the weekend with high aspirations.

Sports

UF women’s tennis thrives at tourney

Nov. 8, 2012

At the 2012 USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships in New York, Florida’s women flourished. Senior Lauren Embree, junior Sofie Oyen and freshman Danielle Collins all flew in to the big city with high expectations, and they all responded well Thursday afternoon.

Sports

First-year tennis player adjusting to Florida after coming from France

Nov. 7, 2012

French-born Florent Diep has lived in the United States for less than a year, but he has flourished at Florida.

Sports

Gators fall short at Disney tennis tournament

Nov. 4, 2012

The Gators may have left the happiest place on earth without a smile.