Women's Tennis Hosts Alabama in SEC Home-Opener on Friday
Thursday, March 10, 2011 | Women's Tennis
The top-ranked University of Florida women's tennis team plays host to Alabama in the team's Southeastern Conference home-opener on Friday at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex, where first-serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. and admission is free.
The Gators (13-1, 2-0 SEC) have won all 35 previous meetings against the Crimson Tide (7-3, 0-1 SEC), including the 15 match-ups contested Gainesville.
· WATCH Head Coach Roland Thornqvist's interview with GatorVision OnLine, as he previews Friday's match, talks about the improvement of the game, playing at home for the first time since Feb. 8 and being one of five Gator teams ranked No. 1 this week – FREE courtesy of GatorVision OnLine
The team's undefeated streak against Alabama isn't the only impressive run Florida will put to the test on Friday.
Entering the match, the Gators have won 96 consecutive regular-season home matches and 87 consecutive overall at home, while sporting a 166-1 all-time home record against SEC opponents.
Individually, sophomore Lauren Embree (Marco Island, Fla.) brings an 11-0 singles record this season into the contest against Alabama, which dropped a tough 4-3 decision to No. 11 Georgia in its SEC opener.
Florida has won the doubles point in 12 of the 13 matches doubles has been contested, racing out to the early 1-0 lead in the team scoring thanks to a 29-4 combined dual match doubles record.
Sophomore Allie Will (Boca Raton, Fla.) headlines six Gators sporting a national singles ranking, checking in at No. 7, as she has compiled a team-best 20-3 singles record this year, including an 11-1 mark in dual matches. Junior Joanna Mather (Duluth, Ga.) is ranked No. 21, followed by Embree at No. 26, freshman Olivia Janowicz (Palm Bay, Fla.) at No. 34, freshman Alex Cercone (Seminole, Fla.) at No. 35 and sophomore Caroline Hitimana (Waterloo, Belgium) at No. 125.
