Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The third-ranked Gators opened the 2018 dual match season the same way they ended last season, with a win. The defending national champion Florida women's tennis team defeated the Cal State Fullerton Titans in the opening round of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend tournament 4-0.
 
The Gators, who won the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Indoor National Championship a year ago, began their title defense with a dominant doubles performance. At No. 2 doubles, the pair of Josie Kuhlman and McCartney Kessler got things started with an impressive 6-1 decision that put the Gators in the lead. The doubles point was clinched for Florida a few moments later when Anna Danilina and Victoria Emma, No. 1 doubles, battled from an early deficit to win their match 6-4.
 
 The Gators continued their aggressive play in singles as Kuhlman and Porter each took their first set 6-0, while Danilina and Kessler took their first sets 6-1, and 6-2 respectively. Florida wasted no time in their second sets with Danillia being the first to finish by a score of 6-1, 6-3, giving the Gators a 2-0 lead in the match. After Porter won her match by a score of 6-0, 6-2, the Gators clinched minutes later when Kuhlman won 6-0, 6-3.
 
 Quoting Coach Thornqvist
On doubles
"On court one I think we were a little nervous the first 10 minutes but once we settled down we got great power at No. 1 doubles and I think it started to make a difference and we picked the right spots to play [Cal State Fullerton]. At two, Josie is such a steady player and McCartney moved more than she has ever moved and it makes a big difference for us in our ability win points at two."
 
On the play of the young team in their first dual match
"I was really pleased. This is my 17th opening day here and at no time have I had a freshman really comfortable the first time they played in this jersey. Lots of nerves come into play because of the history here and you can tell that our first-years were jittery but at the same time handled it well."
 
Quoting Danilina
On how proud she was of her young teammates
"I was really proud of them. They showed a lot of maturity and they handled their nerves really well. They fought and even though some of them lost their first set, I was confident that they would turn it around. They were also loud and cheering for each and that was great to see."
 
Match Results
Doubles
#1 – Anna Danilina / Victoria Emma (UF) def. Karla Portalatin (CSF) – 6-4
#2 – Josie Kuhlman / McCartney Kessler (UF) def. Masako Makiba / Genevieve Zeidan (CSF) – 6-1
#3 – Peggy Porter / Katie Kubicz vs Danielle Pham / Acidera – DNF, 4-3
Florida won Doubles Point
Order of Finish: 2, 1
Singles
#1 – #8 Anna Danilina def. #103 Genevieve Zeidan – 6-1, 6-3
#2 – #30 Josie Kuhlman def. Sarah Nuno – 6-0, 6-3*
#3 – Victoria Emma def. Karla Portalatin – DNF, 5-7, 2-2
#4 – McCartney Kessler vs Luxizi Meng – DNF, 6-2, 4-4
#5 – Katie Kubicz vs Caisey Lee Emery – DNF, 6-7, 0-0
#6 – Peggy Porter def. Danielle Pham – 6-0, 6-2
Order of Finish: 1, 6, 2*
*Clincher
 
Up Next
No. 3 Florida will be back on the courts Sunday at 8 a.m. to compete in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend Regional Championship. They will play the winner of Marshall and Louisiana-Monroe for a chance to advance to next month's ITA National Indoor Championship in Madison, Wisc.