Gators Knock Off Tennessee

Sunday, March 18

Knoxville, TN

12 PM

Florida Gators

Tennessee

Freshman McCartney Kessler was involved in the clinching doubles point and dual match victory.

Gators Knock Off Tennessee

Sunday, March 18, 2018 | Women's Tennis

Box Score Final Scores (PDF)

Florida topped the Vols, 4-1, and improved to 5-1 in the SEC.

By: Kathy Cafazzo

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 18 Florida won the doubles point en route to a 4-1 victory against Tennessee at Barksdale Stadium on Sunday in Knoxville, Tenn.

After capturing the doubles point for the eighth time this season, senior Anna Danilina gave the Gators a 2-0 lead with a straight set singles win on court one.

Peggy Porter then followed with a straight set win at the No. 5 spot for a 3-0 Florida advantage. Tennessee got on the board with the decision on court six, before freshman McCartney Kessler provided the clinching heroics with a 7-5, 6-0 win at the No. 4 spot.

On the Road Again

Sunday's match at Tennessee was the second in a four-match road swing, as the Gators continue action at Alabama Thursday.
Florida caps its current road stretch at Auburn on Saturday.
Florida is 6-2 on away courts this season.

The No. 18 Gators (10-5, 5-1 SEC) at a Glance

What Just Happened: The Gators saw their six-match win streak come to an end with Friday's loss.
Individual Rankings: Singles – No. 15 Anna Danilina, No. 45 Josie Kuhlman, No. 100 Victoria Emma; Doubles –No. 15 Anna Danilina & Victoria Emma
Of Note: Sunday's match was Florida's 11th away from Gainesville this season. The Gators are 6-5 in those matches.
Doubles Action: The Gators have won the doubles point eight times this season and are 7-1 when winning the initial team point.

What's Next for the Gators

Who: No. 18 Florida at Alabama (13-8, 0-5 SEC)
Where: Roberta Alison Baumgardner in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
When: Thursday 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT
Live Scoring: link TBA
Series: Florida is 41-1 all-time against Alabama, including a 17-1 record in Tuscaloosa. The Gators have won the last three meetings since the Tide earned their first ever win, a 4-3 decision on March 23, 2017.

Quotes from the Court – UF Coach Roland Thornqvist
"I was pleased to see our enthusiasm and energy level was really high today, and that was critical since our emotional loss at Georgia on Friday. I was really pleased with our performance. We played really well, especially at three doubles, it was a clean match. That set the tone in singles. Anna (Danilina) was really strong and McCartney (Kessler) once again played a fantastic match. Peggy (Porter) found her stride again.

"Overall, we did a really good job. I was happy to see that we had some close first sets in singles and we were able to break away for a much easier second set. I think that speaks volumes about our energy level, our fitness and our attitude.

"We're looking forward to taking a couple days off to rest and then back on the road again for another tough weekend.

Match 15
No. 18 Florida at No. 30 Tennessee
Barksdale Stadium at Knoxville, Tenn.
March 18, 2018

Final: #18 Florida 4, #30 Tennessee 1

Singles (Order of Finish: 1, 5, 6, 4)
1. #15 Anna Danilina (UF) def. Sadie Hammond (UT) 6-4, 6-0
2. Ariadna Riley (UT) vs. #45 Josie Kuhlman (UF) 3-6, 3-5, unfinished
3. Elizabeth Profit (UT) vs. #100 Victoria Emma (UF) 5-7, 3-2, unfinished
4. McCartney Kessler (UF) def. Gabby Schuck (UT) 7-5, 6-0*
5. Peggy Porter (UF) def. Kaitlin Staines (UT) 7-5, 6-2
6. Johanna Silva (UT) def. Katie Kubicz (UF) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles (Order of Finish: 3, 2)
1. #69 Ariadna Riley/Kaitlin Staines (UT) vs. #15 Victoria Emma/Anna Danilina (UF) 4-5, unfinished
2. Josie Kuhlman/McCartney Kessler (UF) def. Sadie Hammond/Elizabeth Profit (UT) 6-3*
3. Peggy Porter/Katie Kubicz (UF) def. Johanna Silva/Gabby Schuck (UT) 6-3

Match Notes:
Florida 10-5, 5-1 SEC; National Rank #18
Tennessee 12-5, 0-5 SEC; National Rank #30

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