The second-ranked University of Florida women’s tennis team launches its 39th year of varsity competition playing host to UCF on Wed., January 26 beginning at 5 p.m. at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. Admission to all regular-season home matches is free.
Florida is 8-0 all-time against UCF, with all meetings taking place in Gainesville. The last time the two programs squared off was a 6-1 Gator victory on Jan. 27, 2010.
The Gators are 35-3 all-time in season-opening dual matches and have won 26 consecutive season-openers, with the last loss a 7-2 setback at Miami on Feb. 1, 1985.
Florida owns a remarkable 184-33 record against in-state rivals and has reeled off six straight victories against Sunshine State opponents, with the most recent a 4-0 win against Miami in the 2010 NCAA Quarterfinals. The Gators’ last loss to an instate foe was a 5-2 decision on Feb. 28, 2009 against Florida State in Tallahassee.
UCF defeated FAMU, 7-0, in its dual match opener on Saturday. The Knights are coached by former Gator standout Stephanie Nickitas, who won the 1996 and 1997 NCAA Doubles Championships and helped Florida capture the 1996 and 1998 NCAA Team titles during her remarkable four-year career.
Florida’s 2010-11 roster consists of a sizable nine players – none of whom are seniors. Joanna Mather and Claire Bartlett are juniors, while the four sophomores from last year’s top-rated recruiting class return for the 2010-11 campaign. The Gators welcome three true freshmen to the squad, each of whom is expecting to contribute immediately.
Florida returns to the court six letterwinners from last year’s team that compiled a 29-3 overall record and reached the NCAA Final, dropping a 4-3 heartbreaker to Stanford. Sophomore Lauren Embree became the first freshman in league history to be voted the SEC Player of the Year, while Allie Will was honored as the 2010 SEC Freshman of the Year.
Roland Thornqvist enters his 15th year as a head coach with 292 career dual match victories , needing just eight more to reach the 300-win plateau. He has compiled 217 of wins during his 10 years with the Gators.
Florida enters the 2010-11 season having won 91 consecutive regular-season home victories – not including Southeastern Conference Tournament or NCAA Championship events. The current streak is the longest of its kind in program history, passing the 71 in a row compiled from 1994-2001.
Florida enters the 2010-11 season also sporting an overall program-record 82-match home win streak, which includes 15 wins in postseason play (SEC and NCAA Tournament).
For all outdoor UF athletic events, fans can call the Gator WeatherLine to check on the status of an event if inclimate weather is in the Gainesville area at 352-375-4683, ext. 3044.