TULSA, Okla. – University of Florida women's tennis junior
McCartney Kessler saw her run at the 2019 Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships come to a close Saturday as she dropped a 7-6, 6-4 decision in the event's back draw semifinal round at the Case Tennis Center.
Playing her third match in the past two days, Kessler fought back from a 5-1 deficit in the first stanza but ultimately fell in straight sets to UCF's Rebeka Stolmar, the nation's 98
th-ranked played.
After coming up short in her first matchup of the tournament on Wednesday, Kessler claimed three-straight wins to make a run in the back draw, but ran into some tough luck against the UCF junior.
Despite the loss, Kessler more than held her own against some of the nation's elite as she took on three ranked foes and two All-Americans over the course of her four day stay in Tulsa.
Kessler's fall record now sits at 10-5.
The Gators continue their 2019 fall slate Friday, Oct. 18 when they head to Tallahassee for the ITA Regional Championships.
Quotes from the Court – Assistant Coach Lauren Embree
Takeaways from the Match…
"We came up a little short today. McCartney's opponent did a great job of playing a complete match from start to finish and handling momentum shifts. I was proud of the way we found a way back after being down 1-5 in the first set and gave ourselves a chance to be in the match. We are improving with each match and will continue to put in the work and get better."
Results
Saturday, Oct. 12
Back Draw Semifinals
No. 98 Rebeka Stolmar def. No. 23
McCartney Kessler - 7-6, 6-4
Friday, Oct. 11
Back Draw Quarterfinal
No. 23
McCartney Kessler def. No. 10 Kenya Jones (Georgia Tech), 6-2, 7-5
Back Draw Round II
No. 23
McCartney Kessler def. Vera Ploner (Tulsa), 6-2, 6-2
Thursday, Oct. 10
Back Draw Round I
No. 23
McCartney Kessler def. Brianna Shvets (Princeton) - Walkover
Wednesday, Oct. 9
Main Draw Round I
No. 63 Iuliia Bryzgalova def. No. 23
McCartney Kessler - 7-6, 6-2
2019 Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships
Oct. 5-13
University of Tulsa
Tulsa, Okla.
Case Tennis Center at LaFortune Park
About the Intercollegiate Tennis Association
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