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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"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.
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"We're looking forward to taking a couple days off to rest and then back on the road again for another tough weekend.
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Match 15
No. 18 Florida at No. 30 Tennessee
Barksdale Stadium at Knoxville, Tenn.
March 18, 2018
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Final: #18 Florida 4, #30 Tennessee 1
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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
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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
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Match Notes:
Florida 10-5, 5-1 SEC; National Rank #18
Tennessee 12-5, 0-5 SEC; National Rank #30
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