Florida Gators

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Playing in the ITA Southeast Regional singles championship match for the second year in a row, University of Florida women's tennis junior McCartney Kessler broke through for a 6-2, 6-2 win over Georgia's Lea Ma to claim the title Monday at the Scott Speicher Memorial Tennis Center on the campus of Florida State.
 
Winning her sixth-straight match, No. 23 Kessler defeated the highly-touted Georgia newcomer, Ma, in straight sets. After cruising to a 6-2 win in the opening set, Kessler dropped the first game of the second, but won five of the next six to knock off Ma who was ranked No. 5 on the ITA's Division I Top Freshmen/Newcomers list back in September.
 
Over the four-day tournament, Kessler didn't drop a single set as she continues to build on what has been a successful fall campaign. After starting off the season strong with a deep run at the W15 Lubbock back in September, Kessler has now registered a team-best 16 wins and a regional title.
 

The two-time All-SEC talent has already surpassed her fall win total of a season ago.
 
UF has claimed the last two ITA Southeast Regional singles championships, and appeared in three straight. Last year Ida Jarlskog won the event, defeating Kessler in three sets.
 
Over her last 12 matches played at ITA Regional events, Kessler is 11-1.

Kessler was the last one standing in a 64-player main draw that featured some of the region's best talent from the 17 programs represented at the tournament. 
 
By advancing to the championship match, Kessler secured a spot in the ITA Fall National Championships next month in Newport Beach, Calif.

Quotes from the Court – Assistant Coach Lauren Embree
Takeaways from Kessler's performance...
 
"We're really proud of the tournament McCartney played, not only because of the results, but she's really understanding her strengths and using them to her advantage. Her mental game and match management is giving her the edge in a lot of these close matches with the extremely talented players you take on in events like this. Her positive mindset is giving her the best chance to come out on top and we're really happy with her progress. She is a great representation of what Florida Tennis is all about and I'm just really glad the hard work and commitment to get better is starting to pay off."

Results
Monday, Oct. 21
Singles Main Draw Final
No. 23 McCartney Kessler def. Lea Ma (Georgia), 6-2, 6-2
 
Results
Sunday, Oct. 20
Singles Main Draw Semifinals
No. 23 McCartney Kessler def. No. 51 Martina Kudelova (FAU), 6-2, 6-4

Singles Main Draw Quarterfinals
No. 23 McCartney Kessler def. Victoria Flores (Georgia Tech), 6-4, 6-3
 
Results
Saturday, Oct. 19
Singles Main Draw Round of 16
No. 23 McCartney Kessler def. No. 113 Elena Christofi (Georgia), 6-2, 7-6
 
Results
Friday, Oct. 18
Singles Main Draw Round of 64
No. 23 McCartney Kessler def. Taylor Dean (Kennesaw State), 7-5, 6-1

Singles Main Draw Round of 32
No. 23 McCartney Kessler vs. Nada Dimovska (Miami), 6-0, 6-3

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