GAINESVILLE, Fla. ā University of Florida women's tennis head coach
Roland Thornqvist announced Friday morning the signing of
Layne Sleeth. The Markham, Ontario native will begin competing with the Gators this fall.
"We're thrilled to have Layne join us this fall. She's not only a world class player with tremendous international experience but, perhaps even more importantly, she's a great person," Thornqvist said. "We think she'll make an instant impact on our team and help elevate us both in talent and work ethic."
Earlier this July, Sleeth claimed her first professional title at the ITF $15K Cancun Tennis Cup, knocking off the likes of USC's Salma Ewing and Thaisa Grana Pedretti of Brazil. The three-time Canadian national champion carries a No. 274 ITF ranking and No. 610 WTA ranking in singles.Ā
The five-foot-nine right hander has enjoyed a breakout summer, recording nine WTA victories. Sleeth, who started playing tennis at the age of seven, twice earned spots on the Canadian Junior Fed cup squad. In 2017, Sleeth was crowned the champion of a Grade 2 ITF junior event in Cap d'Ail, France.
She enters the collegiate game as the No. 2 player in Canada's U18 singles rankings and has posted a 149-76 singles record competing in junior singles.Ā
Sleeth joins a talented group of returning players as the Gators welcome back six core contributors from last season's squad which qualified for the program's 37
th NCAA Tennis Championship in its 38 year history.
Florida's fall campaign is rapidly approaching and the full 2018-19 schedule is set to be released later this month.Ā
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