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

 
Gator Pronunciations

• Anna Danilina: ON-nah don-uh-LEE-nah
• Josie Kuhlman: COOL-mun

 
 
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube |
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators