RESULTS (PDF)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 29 University of Florida women's tennis team returned to its winning ways Friday evening with a 4-0 victory over the No. 41 Missouri Tigers at Linder Stadium at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.
 
Improving to 8-0 all time against Missouri, Florida put together a strong all-around match after securing the doubles point to begin play. No. 32 McCartney Kessler, Sara Dahlstrom and Marlee Zein, who provided the match clincher, all broke through for singles victories on the day.
 
Extending its home winning streak to three matches, all against top 50 opponents, Florida carried over the momentum established into singles where it reigned victorious on the first three courts to complete.
 
After falling behind 6-4, the Texas native Zein stayed the course and fought all the way back for a three-set victory and the match's deciding point. With the win, the junior improved 7-3 in dual match play.
 
Battling its seventh-straight ranked foe, Florida shifted its doubles configuration and it paid off as it captured the match's momentum early. No. 26 Kessler and Zein, proved again why they are considered one of the nation's top tandems, registering their eighth-consecutive victory.
 
With today's results Florida improved to 33-24 in singles and 14-19 in doubles overall in dual match competition.
 
Snapping a streak of two-straight matches without a doubles point, the host Gators set the tone early with opening tally. Florida added victories on its top two courts.

After UF grabbed the opening game on two of the three courts, No. 26 Kessler and Zein kicked off the scoring with a 6-2 win on court one. Missouri quickly evened the tally with a victory by the same count on court three as Sydney Berlin and Dahlstrom fell in their first appearance playing together in dual match play. In what was the tightest match of the three doubles tilts, Layne Sleeth and Ida Jarlskog impressed in their dual match debut and secured the doubles tally. The Gator duo jumped out to a 4-1 lead and held on for a 6-3 victory over Valentina Vazquez and Gabrielle Goldin. 
 
In singles, the consistent Kessler continued her strong play with a 6-2, 6-1 victory on court one. Winning for the sixth time in her last eight matches, No. 32 Kessler propelled Florida to a 2-0 advantage with her methodical triumph on the top court.
 
Breaking a four-match losing streak, Dahlstrom took out Serena Nash in straight sets on court four to make it 3-0 in favor of UF. After collecting a 6-1 win in her opening set, Dahlstrom was met with more resistance in the second but fought hard for a 6-1, 6-4 victory.
 
While it looked like the Gators may clinch the match elsewhere, Zein's persistence paid off as she delivered the match clincher from court two over Missouri's Vazquez. Zein was nothing short of dominant the final two frames. 
 
Taking on Gainesville native Ellie Wright, who had a strong contingency of support in attendance, Jarlskog saw her match go unfinished at 7-6, 5-4. The senior Jarlskog fell behind 2-0 in the first set tiebreaker but stormed back to claim the frame and battled hard in the second. 
 
No. 65 Sleeth saw her match go unfinished at 6-2, 4-6, 1-2 as did Berlin who led 4-6, 6-4, 2-0.
 
UP NEXT: The Gators return to action Sunday, March 14 against No. 20 Arkansas. First serve is slated for 1 p.m. ET from the Ring Tennis Complex. 
 
No. 29 Florida 4, No. 41 Missouri 0

Doubles Results
No. 26 McCartney Kessler and Marlee Zein (UF) def. Bronte Murgett and Marta Oliveria, 6-2
Ida Jarlskog and Layne Sleeth (UF) def. Gabby Goldin and Valentina Vasquez, 6-3
Ellie Wright and Serena Nash def. Sydney Berlin and Sara Dahlstrom (UF), 6-2
 
Doubles order of finish: 1,3,2

Singles Results
No. 32 McCartney Kessler (UF) def. Bronte Murgett, 6-2, 6-1
Marlee Zein (UF) def. Valentina Vasquez, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
Ida Jarlskog (UF) vs. Ellie Wright, 7-6, 5-4 (Unfinished)
No. 65 Layne Sleeth (UF) vs. Marta Oliveria, 6-2, 4-6, 1-2 (Unfinished)
Sara Dahlstrom (UF vs. Serena Nash, 6-1, 6-4
Sydney Berlin (UF) vs. Elys Ventura 4-6, 6-4, 2-0 (Unfinished)

Singles order of finish: 1, 5, 2
 
Quotes from the Court
Head Coach Roland Thornqvist
Overall thoughts on the match…
"We switched the doubles up and I really liked that. I thought we played really well. Clinical at one, man we are powerful at one and play right the way. And it's the first time our No. 2 team played together, they had some good rhythm. They both hold onto the ball and make a lot of returns. Their tennis IQ is high at No. 2. We are not as powerful at No. 2 but I feel like they chose the right time to move so I was pleased with doubles. We knew Missouri is an indoor team so they're going to hit the ball hard and flat a lot. We knew we had to rely on our legs at some spots and I thought we did that really well."
 
On McCartney Kessler's Play…
"That's high-level tennis. We haven't had tennis at that level in this stadium in a few years, frankly. When she goes after the ball, she has great ball tolerance now coupled with that pace. I think that's the difference. She had the pace a year or so ago but perhaps was little more erratic in her play but that's just gone away now. When she sort of goes after the ball, it's harnessed, huge power. She's really difficult to beat so we are certainly pleased to have her lead the way in the middle."
 
On takeaways from the match going into Sunday…
"It's nice to play at home. I think some of our younger players play better at home, that's certainly the case at five. You know the league is unforgiving, it's a very deep league. I don't pay much attention to the rankings you know because I see teams in other leagues ranked high that I frankly don't think can play in the SEC. So we're telling our players to do the same thing we say every year. Play the match that's in front of you and play it to the best of your ability."

Senior McCartney Kessler…
On her doubles success with Marlee Zein…
"I think it's just been really fun to play doubles with Marlee (Zein). We've had a lot of success and confidence. That's also really helped my singles; going into singles after playing really good in doubles."
 
On returning home and posting a win…
"It definitely feels good. I think for us, we have lost a lot of close matches and matches that I think if we played again, we could win. I think matches like tonight are really important for our confidence going forward in our upcoming SEC matches and the SEC Tournament."
 
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