No. 18 Florida Sweeps Alabama

Thursday, March 22

Tuscaloosa, AL

6 PM

Florida Gators

Alabama

Katie Kubicz provided the clinching dual match victory.

No. 18 Florida Sweeps Alabama

Thursday, March 22, 2018 | Women's Tennis

Box Score Final Scores (PDF)

The Gators improved to 6-1 in the Southeastern Conference.

By: Kathy Cafazzo

TUSCALOOSA Ala. – The Gators were focused from first to final serve in their 4-0 sweep of Alabama at the Alabama Tennis Stadium Thursday evening.

Florida jumped out to big leads on all three doubles courts, with the No. 1 and 2 positions able to clock in the 6-1 decision at both spots to capture the doubles point for the 10th time this season.

The 18th-ranked Gators didn't let up on the singles courts, where they won all five of the first sets that completed. Peggy Porter was in a first-set tiebreak when play was abandoned.

Senior Anna Danilina was the first off the court, as she won 6-2, 6-1 at the number one position to net her team-leading 22nd singles win of the season.

Freshman McCartney Kessler followed with an impressive 6-2, 6-0 victory on court four, as the rookie improved to a Gator-best 5-1 in SEC singles matches.

Fellow freshman Katie Kubic then posted the clinching 6-1, 6-4 decision on court six that secured Florida's fifth sweep this season.

Florida and Alabama: The UPDATED Series

All-Time: Florida leads the all-time series, 42-1, including an 18-1 record in Tuscaloosa.
Last Meeting: Florida toped the Tide 4-0 on March 31, 2017 in Gainesville.
Streak: UF has won the last four meetings against Alabama.
Of Note: The Tide's lone win in the series was a 4-3 thriller on March 23, 2014 in Tuscaloosa.

The No. 18 Gators (11-5, 6-1 SEC) at a Glance

What Just Happened: The Gators played one of their most focused matches of the season against Alabama to post their second consecutive victory and notch their eighth victory in the last nine outings.
Individual Rankings: Singles – No. 19 Anna Danilina, No. 48 Josie Kuhlman; Doubles – No. 23 Anna Danilina & Victoria Emma
Of Note: Florida won the doubles point for the 10th time this season.
Road-Sweet-Road: Thursday's match was Florida's 12th away from Gainesville this season. The team has compiled a 7-5 record in those outings, including a 7-2 mark on true away courts.

The Crimson Tide (13-9, 0-6 SEC) at a Glance

What Just Happened: The Tide remained winless in SEC action.
Individual Rankings: none
Of Note: Alabama lost at home for just the third time this season, falling to 9-3 at the Alabama Tennis Stadium.

What's Next for the Gators

Who: No. 18 Florida (11-5, 6-1 SEC) at No. 15 Auburn (16-4, 4-1 SEC) [the Tigers played host to South Carolina Thursday evening and the result of that match is not included]
When: Saturday, March 24 * 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT
Where: Yarbrough Tennis Center in Auburn, Ala.
Live Video: https://www.playsight.com/#/livestreaming
Live Scoring: http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/w-tennis/spec-rel/live-video.html

Match 16
#18 Florida at Alabama
Alabama Tennis Stadium * Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Thursday, March 22, 2018

Final: #18 Florida 4, Alabama 0

Doubles (Order of Finish: 1, 2*)
1.        #23 Anna Danilina/Victoria Emma (UF) def. Ann Selim/Alba Cortina-Pou (UA) 6-1
2.        Josie Kuhlman/McCartney Kessler (UF) def. Andie Daniell/Kylie Moulin (UA) 6-1*
3.        Jacqueline Pelletier/Smith Hinton (UA) vs. Peggy Porter/Katie Kubicz (UF) 1-4, unfinished

Singles (Order of Finish: 1, 4, 6*)
1.        #19 Anna Danilina (UF) def. Andie Daniell (UA) 6-2, 6-1
2.        Smith Hinton (UA) vs. #48 Josie Kuhlman (UF) 1-6, 2-3, unfinished
3.        Jacqueline Pelletier (UA) vs. Victoria Emma (UF) 5-7, 0-1, unfinished
4.        McCartney Kessler (UF) def. Ann Selim (UA) 6-2, 6-0
5.        Alba Cortina-Pou (UA) vs. Peggy Porter (UF) 6-6, unfinished
6.        Katie Kubicz (UF) def. Kylie Moulin (UA) 6-1, 6-4*

Match Notes:
Florida 11-5; National ranking #18
Alabama 13-9
T-1:39 A-350

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