Florida Gators
SEC Coaches Classic (Day 2 of 3)
W-Tennis Freshman Joanna Mather Wins Singles Title at SEC Fall Coaches Classic
Saturday, November 8, 2008 | Women's Tennis
University of Florida freshman Joanna Mather (Duluth, Ga.) won three matches in three days to earn her first collegiate singles title, capturing the SEC Fall Coaches Classic Gold Draw on Saturday at the Alabama Tennis Stadium.
The Gator rookie defeated her third quality opponent in three days, taking down Kentucky's Carolina Escamilla, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, in Saturday's final.
“Jo has been phenomenal in the last month and I'm so proud of her and what she was able to do during this tournament,” UF associate head coach Dave Balogh said. “Jo is one of the most coachable players I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. She can make adjustments and wants to learn and improve. She handled tough, windy conditions today and beat a solid player in Escamilla, who slices a lot and throws a lot of different shots and looks at her opponents. Jo has worked so hard and this was a great way to end our fall season.”
Mather also paired with fellow freshman Barbara Pinterova (Solvakia) on the doubles court, but the Gator duo was forced to default their second round match in the Crimson Draw to Tennessee's Rosalia Alda and Zsofia Zubor, who were leading 5-4, when Pinterova couldn't continue due to injury.
This was the final tournament of the 2008 fall season for the Gators, who return to competition in January.
SEC Fall Coaches Classic
Alabama Tennis Stadium
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
UF Results Only
Gold Draw Singles- Final
Joanna Mather (UF) def. Carolina Escamilla (UK), 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
Crimson Draw Doubles- Second Round
Rosalia Alda/Zsofia Zubor (UT) def. Joanna Mather/Barbara Pinterova (UF), UT led 5-4 when UF defaulted (injury)
-UF-
