Gators Look to Bounce Back with Return Match Against No. 22 UCF Tuesday

Thursday, February 4

Tallahassee, FL

4:45 PM

Florida Gators

Florida State University

Junior Marlee Zein is off to a strong start with a 2-0 record in singles and a top 30 ranking in doubles.

Gators Look to Bounce Back with Return Match Against No. 22 UCF Tuesday

Monday, February 8, 2021 | Women's Tennis

Women’s tennis back home to take on UCF for second time in 11 days Tuesday at the Ring.

By: Sam Stolte

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After playing consecutive road matches, the No. 21 University of Florida women's tennis team returns home Tuesday, Feb. 9 when it hosts No. 22 UCF for a 5 p.m. first serve at Scott Linder Stadium at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex. The Gators look to return to their winning ways after falling 4-3 to UCF in Lake Nona just 11 days ago.

MATCH INFO

Date	Tuesday, Feb. 9
Time	5 p.m. ET
Matchup	No. 21 Florida (1-2) vs. No. 22 UCF (4-2)
Location	Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex \| Gainesville, Fla.
Live Stream	Here
Live Stats	Here
Match Notes	Florida

UF last took to the courts this past Thursday at No. 8 FSU. Going up against an in-state foe ranked within the top 25 for the second-straight contest, Florida dropped a 4-1 decision in Tallahassee. The Gators' Sara Dahlstrom collected her second dual match win in three tries and the Gators were leading on two courts when the contest came to a close, but it wasn't enough as Florida fell to 56-5 all time against the Seminoles.

Through three matches, Dahlstrom, Marlee Zein and McCartney Kessler have all collected two wins to lead the way in singles. No. 32 Kessler has opened the season 2-0 and looked destined to pick up her third victory on Thursday but her match against No. 27 Giulia Pairone went unfinished at 6-4, 5-2. Kessler, a two-time All-SEC selection, is 5-0 overall this season and has compiled 73 career wins to pace the Gators. Zein, also 2-0, added a win over No. 42 Rebeka Stolmar of UCF last time the squads squared off.

In the Jan. 29 matchup between the Gators and Knights, Kessler, Zein and No. 65 Layne Sleeth all recorded singles wins but Florida was not able to overcome its loss of the doubles point and the early singles contests. The high-level showdown featured a pair of 3-0 swings for each squad but it was UCF who notched the final win on court six. Despite winning the opening set, UF's Sydney Berlin dropped a hard-fought battle to UCF's Jaleesa Leslie on what was the deciding court, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6.

After dropping its first two matchups against ranked foes at the ITA Kickoff, No. 22 UCF enters the matchup having won four-consecutive contests. UCF's streak began with its win over the Gators and since then it has knocked off Georgia Southern, Ole Dominion and Stetson in succession, all at home.

Friday's matchup features six ranked singles players with Kessler boasting the highest ranking at No. 32 and two ranked doubles pairings. The Gators' No. 1 doubles duo Kessler and Zein is ranked No. 26 while UCF's Stolmar and Mattel combine to form the nation's No. 6 unit. Leslie, No. 72 Mattel and No. 42 Stolmar all have recorded four wins on the young season.

Doubles play is an area that Gators are seeking improvement, after winning just one doubles point through their first three matches. Florida's top team, Kessler and Zein, are 0-2 so far while Dahlstrom and fellow Swedish student-athlete Ida Jarlskog are 1-1 competing together. Dahlstrom and Jarlskog played a great match Thursday at FSU against No. 50 Giulia Pairone and Emanuelle Salas, but saw the verdict go unfinished with them leading 5-4.

Florida has claimed 12 of the 14 all-time meetings between the Gators and Knights but has dropped the last two.

Following its battle with the Knights, UF resumes play Thursday, Feb. 11 at USF.

2021 FAN ATTENDANCE POLICIES

Florida tennis will follow COVID-19 safety protocols established by UF Health, campus leadership, the SEC Medical Guidance Task Force and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consistent with those guidelines, Florida tennis will maximize fan seating while maintaining proper physical distance.

Admission is free at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex and general admission tickets will be available on a first come-first serve basis.
- Additionally, a small allotment of tickets will be available for player guests.
There will be designated seating blocks for groups of two and four indicated by orange seats in the stands to ensure proper physical distancing.
Each block has six feet of distance on all sides. The first rows of each section will be blocked off to create a clear and safer walkway for guests.
In accordance with campus guidelines, face coverings (over the nose and mouth) will be required of all guests throughout the entire match. Failure to comply with this important health guideline could result in loss of attendance privileges.
The complex will feature new signage to help reinforce safety measures and will also feature an increased number of hand sanitizer stations.
Fans are encouraged to utilize clear bags to reduce touch points for entry gate staff.
In the event of inclement weather, patrons will not be allowed into the indoor facility.
Access to the tennis building or the court is not permitted for any patrons.
No outside food or drink is allowed in the complex and the concession stand will remain open.