Saturday, May 12
Gainesville, FL
4 PM
Florida Gators
3
vs
4
Florida State (NCAA Second Round)
The Gators huddle after the match.
Gators Drop Heartbreaker in NCAA Second Round
Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Women's Tennis
Florida ends its season with a 4-3 loss to Florida State.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators walked a thin tightrope their entire season, tempting fate with a six-player roster. They may have wavered a bit but never faltered. Until Saturday, when for the first time all year, Florida was forced to retire from a match due to injury. That proved to be the difference when the Gators dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Championships held at Linder Stadium at the Ring Tennis Complex.
With Florida holding a 3-2 lead in the dual match, freshman McCartney Kessler, who was one of three Gators limping into the match, began severely cramping midway through her second set, which she lost 6-4. Because the heat rule was in effect – the on-court temperature was above 90-degrees at the start of the match – Kessler was able to take a 10-minute break between the second and third sets. The Florida training staff did all it could and Kessler seemed fresh when she returned to the court, holding serve at love in the opening game. During the second game, she was receiving at 15-40, when her cramping began again and she was called for a delay of game, point-penalty that evened the set at 1-1. She then served and lost the first point before the cramping overwhelmed her and she was unable to finish her match, retiring with score even at 7-6 (4), 4-6, 1-1.
And the dual match was even at 3-all.
All eyes shifted immediately to court six, where Gator freshman Katie Kubicz had forced a third set after winning a second-set tiebreak against Andrea Garcia.
Kubicz found herself down early, receiving at a 0-2 hole. She broke, but was broken right back and Garcia had the serve with a 3-1 lead. Kubicz never quit and won 12 of the next 15 points for a 4-3 lead with the serve.
Garcia halted Kubicz's momentum by winning the first three points on her serve and earned the break and then held for a 5-4 lead. Kubicz held a 30-15 lead on her serve in the 10th game, but committed three consecutive unforced errors to end the match, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4, and ignite a Seminole celebration.
FSU won a closely contested doubles point that came down the No. 2 position. Kessler and senior Josie Kuhlman were playing catch-up early after falling behind 2-0. The finally got the match back on-serve with a break in the sixth game and Kessler held at love for a 4-3 Gator advantage. The Noles held and then jumped on Kuhlman's serve for a 5-4 lead. The Gators fended off one match-point, but not a second when Kuhlman's volley caught the net to end the match, 6-4.
Florida's six-player roster featured three seniors and three freshmen and all three upperclassmen stepped up and earned straight-set singles wins for the final home matches of their careers.
Anna Danilina, ranked No. 18 in the nation, was first, as she battled past 19th-ranked Carla Touly in a match that featured a number of terrific points, 6-2, 6-4.
Peggy Porter, who earned her bachelor's degree last weekend and will attend law school at the University of Virginia, ended her collegiate career with a 6-3, 6-3 win that gave Florida a 2-1 lead.
Kuhlman was next off the court with a 6-4, 6-4 victory that gave the Gators a 3-1 lead in the team scoring.
Kuhlman and Danilina will return to action on May 23 for the NCAA Singles Championships held in Winston-Salem, N.C. Danilina also will team with freshman Victoria Emma in the NCAA Doubles Championships that begins May 24.
Net Notes
Quotes from the Court - UF Coach Roland Thornqvist
On his thoughts of the match:
"I have a lot of thoughts. First, I must say that Florida State played a fantastic match and obviously we have to congratulate them. I thought we had a huge task today because they are good on all six courts. They're good in doubles. I knew that there was going to be small, small margins that decided this match.
"I knew our team was ready, we had the right attitude from the start.
"But I made an error, I really think, in our training leading up to this tournament. We had done such a good job, finding that fine line between pushing ourselves in training and yet holding our bodies back. In training I think I pushed them a little too far and subsequently we had two hamstring injuries that popped up last week and it really hampered our preparation. I think you saw that a little bit today. Our conditioning wasn't perhaps what it should have been in spots. When you coach long enough, you learn these things the hard way sometimes. As good a job as we've done all year, I think I made a big mistake a couple weeks ago leading up to this tournament. But Florida State was fantastic in capitalizing. I thought they made a lot of balls in the clutch today in the heat and perhaps that was the difference. We certainly want to congratulate them.
"Another thought I had was just how wonderful this team was. I can't begin to explain to you how proud I am of this group, from our start that perhaps was not the way we envisioned it in February through class and grit and really embracing the 'Florida Way' mentality. This group clawed their way back from being ranked 49 in the country to being just inches away from winning an SEC title and ranked eight in the country coming into this tournament.
"These three seniors, what they've done here – they leave a legacy that goes way past and farther than just winning trophies. More importantly, they've shown our freshmen how we do it. They've shown the "Florida Way" and for that, I'm very grateful.
"I can't even begin to tell you how much fun - and I'm coach (Dave) Balogh feels the same way, this group has been incredible. Every day in practice has been amazing. They've come willing to learn, they've come willing to be pushed, they've taken great ownership of this team, especially the three seniors and it was just a fantastic experience to be part of."
NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championships, Second Round
#21 Florida State at #8 Florida
Linder Stadium at the Ring Tennis Complex * Gainesville, FL
Saturday, May 12, 2018
FINAL: #21 Florida State 4, #8 Florida 3
Singles (order of finish: 1,5,2,4,3,6)
1. #18 Anna Danilina (UF) def. #19 Carla Touly (FS) 6-2, 6-4
2. #52 Josie Kuhlman (UF) def. #122 Petra Hule (FS) 6-4, 6-4
3. Nandini Das (FS) def. #88 McCartney Kessler (UF) 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 1-1, retired
4. Gabriella Castaneda (FS) def. Victoria Emma (UF) 6-4, 6-4
5. Peggy Porter (UF) def. Ariana Rahmanparast (FS) 6-3, 6-3
6. Andrea Garcia (FS) def. Katie Kubicz (UF) 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4
Doubles (order of finish: 3, 1, 2*)
1. #17 Anna Danilina/Victoria Emma (UF) def. #56 Carla Touly/Ariana Rahmanparast (FS) 6-3
2. Julia Mikulski/Andrea Garcia (FS) def. McCartney Kessler/Josie Kuhlman (UF) 6-4
3. Gabriella Castaneda/Petra Hule (FS) def. Katie Kubicz/Peggy Porter (UF) 6-2
Match Notes:
Florida State 19-12; National ranking #21 … Florida 19-9; National ranking #8
A-429
Gator Pronunciations for this release
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With Florida holding a 3-2 lead in the dual match, freshman McCartney Kessler, who was one of three Gators limping into the match, began severely cramping midway through her second set, which she lost 6-4. Because the heat rule was in effect – the on-court temperature was above 90-degrees at the start of the match – Kessler was able to take a 10-minute break between the second and third sets. The Florida training staff did all it could and Kessler seemed fresh when she returned to the court, holding serve at love in the opening game. During the second game, she was receiving at 15-40, when her cramping began again and she was called for a delay of game, point-penalty that evened the set at 1-1. She then served and lost the first point before the cramping overwhelmed her and she was unable to finish her match, retiring with score even at 7-6 (4), 4-6, 1-1.
And the dual match was even at 3-all.
All eyes shifted immediately to court six, where Gator freshman Katie Kubicz had forced a third set after winning a second-set tiebreak against Andrea Garcia.
Kubicz found herself down early, receiving at a 0-2 hole. She broke, but was broken right back and Garcia had the serve with a 3-1 lead. Kubicz never quit and won 12 of the next 15 points for a 4-3 lead with the serve.
Garcia halted Kubicz's momentum by winning the first three points on her serve and earned the break and then held for a 5-4 lead. Kubicz held a 30-15 lead on her serve in the 10th game, but committed three consecutive unforced errors to end the match, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4, and ignite a Seminole celebration.
FSU won a closely contested doubles point that came down the No. 2 position. Kessler and senior Josie Kuhlman were playing catch-up early after falling behind 2-0. The finally got the match back on-serve with a break in the sixth game and Kessler held at love for a 4-3 Gator advantage. The Noles held and then jumped on Kuhlman's serve for a 5-4 lead. The Gators fended off one match-point, but not a second when Kuhlman's volley caught the net to end the match, 6-4.
Florida's six-player roster featured three seniors and three freshmen and all three upperclassmen stepped up and earned straight-set singles wins for the final home matches of their careers.
Anna Danilina, ranked No. 18 in the nation, was first, as she battled past 19th-ranked Carla Touly in a match that featured a number of terrific points, 6-2, 6-4.
Peggy Porter, who earned her bachelor's degree last weekend and will attend law school at the University of Virginia, ended her collegiate career with a 6-3, 6-3 win that gave Florida a 2-1 lead.
Kuhlman was next off the court with a 6-4, 6-4 victory that gave the Gators a 3-1 lead in the team scoring.
Kuhlman and Danilina will return to action on May 23 for the NCAA Singles Championships held in Winston-Salem, N.C. Danilina also will team with freshman Victoria Emma in the NCAA Doubles Championships that begins May 24.
Net Notes
- Gators lost doubles point for 10th time, falling to 3-7 when doing so.
- UF drops to 18-2 all-time in NCAA Round of 32 matches
- Gators now 52-6 all-time at home in NCAA action
- UF falls to 3-3 this season matches decided by a 4-3 margin
- UF's record vs. FSU now stands at 56-3 all-time, including 3-1 in NCAA matches and 0-2 this season
Quotes from the Court - UF Coach Roland Thornqvist
On his thoughts of the match:
"I have a lot of thoughts. First, I must say that Florida State played a fantastic match and obviously we have to congratulate them. I thought we had a huge task today because they are good on all six courts. They're good in doubles. I knew that there was going to be small, small margins that decided this match.
"I knew our team was ready, we had the right attitude from the start.
"But I made an error, I really think, in our training leading up to this tournament. We had done such a good job, finding that fine line between pushing ourselves in training and yet holding our bodies back. In training I think I pushed them a little too far and subsequently we had two hamstring injuries that popped up last week and it really hampered our preparation. I think you saw that a little bit today. Our conditioning wasn't perhaps what it should have been in spots. When you coach long enough, you learn these things the hard way sometimes. As good a job as we've done all year, I think I made a big mistake a couple weeks ago leading up to this tournament. But Florida State was fantastic in capitalizing. I thought they made a lot of balls in the clutch today in the heat and perhaps that was the difference. We certainly want to congratulate them.
"Another thought I had was just how wonderful this team was. I can't begin to explain to you how proud I am of this group, from our start that perhaps was not the way we envisioned it in February through class and grit and really embracing the 'Florida Way' mentality. This group clawed their way back from being ranked 49 in the country to being just inches away from winning an SEC title and ranked eight in the country coming into this tournament.
"These three seniors, what they've done here – they leave a legacy that goes way past and farther than just winning trophies. More importantly, they've shown our freshmen how we do it. They've shown the "Florida Way" and for that, I'm very grateful.
"I can't even begin to tell you how much fun - and I'm coach (Dave) Balogh feels the same way, this group has been incredible. Every day in practice has been amazing. They've come willing to learn, they've come willing to be pushed, they've taken great ownership of this team, especially the three seniors and it was just a fantastic experience to be part of."
- WATCH the ENTIRE PRESS CONFERENCE also featuring Anna Danilina and Josie Kuhlman.
NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championships, Second Round
#21 Florida State at #8 Florida
Linder Stadium at the Ring Tennis Complex * Gainesville, FL
Saturday, May 12, 2018
FINAL: #21 Florida State 4, #8 Florida 3
Singles (order of finish: 1,5,2,4,3,6)
1. #18 Anna Danilina (UF) def. #19 Carla Touly (FS) 6-2, 6-4
2. #52 Josie Kuhlman (UF) def. #122 Petra Hule (FS) 6-4, 6-4
3. Nandini Das (FS) def. #88 McCartney Kessler (UF) 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 1-1, retired
4. Gabriella Castaneda (FS) def. Victoria Emma (UF) 6-4, 6-4
5. Peggy Porter (UF) def. Ariana Rahmanparast (FS) 6-3, 6-3
6. Andrea Garcia (FS) def. Katie Kubicz (UF) 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4
Doubles (order of finish: 3, 1, 2*)
1. #17 Anna Danilina/Victoria Emma (UF) def. #56 Carla Touly/Ariana Rahmanparast (FS) 6-3
2. Julia Mikulski/Andrea Garcia (FS) def. McCartney Kessler/Josie Kuhlman (UF) 6-4
3. Gabriella Castaneda/Petra Hule (FS) def. Katie Kubicz/Peggy Porter (UF) 6-2
Match Notes:
Florida State 19-12; National ranking #21 … Florida 19-9; National ranking #8
A-429
Gator Pronunciations for this release
- Anna Danilina: ON-nah don-uh-LEE-nah
- Josie Kuhlman: COOL-mun
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube |
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1,2
#1 Singles Match
12
Carla Touly / 0 (19/-) [FS]
24
66
#2 Singles Match
12
Petra Hule / 0 (122/-) [FS]
44
66
#3 Singles Match
1234
Nandini Das / 0 [FS]
661WR
7410
#4 Singles Match
12
Gabriella Castaneda / 0 [FS]
66
44
#5 Singles Match
12
Ariana Rahmanparast / 0 [FS]
33
66
#6 Singles Match
123
Andrea Garcia / 0 [FS]
666
374
Order of Finish:
1,5,2,4,3,6
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
NCAA: Roland Thornqvist Press Conference 5-5-24
Sunday, May 05
NCAA: Coach Thornqvist & Rachel Gailis 5-4-24
Saturday, May 04
Roland Thornqvist Postmatch NCAA Second Round 5-6-23
Saturday, May 06
Roland Thornqvist Postmatch NCAA First Round 5-5-23
Friday, May 05
