NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – University of Florida women's tennis junior
McCartney Kessler opened her match strong by winning the first frame, but wasn't able to sustain it as she fell in three sets Wednesday afternoon in the consolation round of the Oracle ITA National Fall Championships at the Newport Beach Tennis Club.
No. 23 Kessler posted a 6-3 win in the opening set, but No. 95 Bojana Markovic of Hawaii claimed the next two by a 6-4 tally to notch the match victory.
Kessler finishes her fall slate with a team-best 15 singles victories and an ITA Southeastern Regional title.
The Georgia native put together her best fall season as a collegiate after beginning the campaign with a five-match winning streak in September. Kessler kept things rolling into the later months, compiling another five-match winning streak en route to her regional crown in October.
The two-time All-SEC honoree fell in both of her matchups at the California national showcase, but battled hung tough to send both to three sets.
Kessler and the Gators have now completed a successful fall season and shift their focus to the dual match slate which begins in January.
Quotes from the Court – Assistant Coach Lauren Embree
Takeaways from Kessler's performance...
"
McCartney Kessler came up a little short in both matches this week. The entire fall we have seen tremendous growth in her mental and match toughness. It's unfortunate we couldn't flip one of these this week, but this will prepare her going into the spring season. Every match win or lose, we will learn from and get closer to our goals."
2019 Oracle ITA National Fall Championships
Nov. 6-10
Newport Beach, Fla.
Results Thursday Nov. 7
Consolation Singles Round of 32
No. 95 Bojana Markovic def. No. 23
McCartney Kessler, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6
Results, Wednesday, Nov. 6
Main Draw Singles Round 1
Lexi Ryngler def. No. 23
McCartney Kessler, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3
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