Florida Preps for Two Top-20 Teams Opening with No. 16 Duke Friday
Thursday, February 19, 2015 | Women's Tennis
Gainesville, Fla. – The No. 2 Florida Gators welcome No. 16 Duke to the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex for a 3 p.m. match on Friday, Feb. 20.
Florida is 36-5 all-time versus Duke. Additionally, the Gators are 15-1 when playing the Blue Devils at home.
The Gators are coming off a 4-3 victory over in-state rival No. 34 Florida State. After helping her squad win the doubles point in the No. 1 position, sophomore No. 44-ranked Kourtney Keegan clinched the match for the Gators with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over FSU's Gabriella Castaneda. Keegan and doubles partner Brooke Austin make up the No. 4-ranked duo in the country and are currently undefeated in dual match doubles. Austin, ranked No. 6 in singles, has yet to drop a singles match through seven dual matches played.
Thornqvist's Thoughts – Head Coach Roland Thornqvist
On highlights from the Florida State win…
There were two things that were wonderful that happened yesterday [in the win against Florida State]. One of our freshmen, Peggy Porter, she had been close on the big stage, but finally yesterday she won a crucial match to bring us even, 3-3. And then Kourtney Keegan got to win it for us. She was in bad situations, kind of like against Alabama last year when she lost in a really close one, so yesterday she managed herself like a pro. Those two things were by far the highlights. It's really important to emphasize that. And Florida State played great. They performed extremely well.
On whether or not the home winning streak is a source of pride…
It's one of those interesting things where deep down, clearly it is. At the same time, it would just kill you to emphasize it. We don't need added pressure on our young players than what top teams like Duke and Stanford are going to bring this weekend, so I'd like to think that the streak is there because we play well at home. We play well in front of our fans, we're a physical team and this is a stadium that requires, most of the time, very physical play.
Last Time:
The last time UF faced Duke was on May 17, 2013 in the NCAA Round of 16. The Gators blanked the Blue Devils, 4-0. Brianna Morgan clinched the match with a straight-set victory over Annie Mulholland, 6-3, 6-0.
136 and Counting:
Florida extended its overall program-record home winning streak of 136 with its most recent win at home, a 7-0 victory over No. 53 USF on Jan. 28. The streak is the longest active home win streak of any NCAA DI women's team in any sport and second-longest of any NCAA DI team behind the NCAA-record run by the Ohio State men's tennis team, which recently recorded its 200th consecutive home win.
Home Sweet Home:
Florida boasts an impressive 471-25 all-time home record in Gainesville.
PROMOTIONS:
Gators Mason Jar Mug Giveaway – First 200 fans in attendance will receive a FREE Gators Mason Jar Mug
Enter to Win Men's Basketball Tickets – Fans can enter to win two tickets for the UF men's basketball game against Tennessee on Feb. 28
Orange & Blue Spirit – Albert and members of the Dazzlers will be in attendance to join fans in cheering for the Gators
#2 Florida vs. #16 Duke
Friday, Feb. 20 at 3:00 p.m.
Scott Linder Stadium at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
Live Stats: http://www.gatorzone.com/tennis/live/?sport=tennw&live_match=12454
Notes: http://www.gatorzone.com/tennis/women/stats/notes/pre/20150220150000.pdf
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