Friday, May 7
Gainesville, FL
10 AM
Florida Gators
vs
NCAA - USC vs. Oklahoma
No. 8 McCartney Kessler, a three-time All-SEC selection, will compete in her third NCAA Tennis Championship with the Gators
Women’s Tennis Welcomes Siena Friday in NCAA First Round Action
Thursday, May 6, 2021 | Women's Tennis
Florida kicks off postseason journey with home matchup against MAAC champion Saints Friday at 1 p.m.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The tournament's No. 11 overall seed, the University of Florida women's tennis team hosts Siena Friday at 1 p.m. in NCAA Tennis Championship first round play at the Linder Stadium at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.
Making its 38th NCAA Tennis Championship appearance and its 33rd-straight, Florida will look to build on its impressive 7-1 mark at home this season when it battles Siena. UF, which holds the No. 12 national ranking, is set to host NCAA first and second round play for the 20th time in a possible 21 tournaments since the field expanded to 64 in 1999.
Competing alongside Florida and Siena are Oklahoma and USC, who will take the courts Friday for a 10 a.m. tilt. With a win over Siena, Florida would take on the victor of the matchup between the Sooners and Trojans. Saturday's regional finale is set for a 4 p.m. first serve. Oklahoma is ranked No. 22 and USC No. 35 in the most recent ITA rankings.
The Florida men's tennis team, its tournament's top overall seed, will also host as the Ring Tennis Complex will serve as a dual site for the opening rounds for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Florida, which finished the regular season on a seven-match winning streak, registered a 10-3 mark in conference play and a second place finish in the SEC. The mighty Southeastern conference sent 13 of its 14 teams to the NCAA tournament, the most of any league in the nation.
The Gators, who have battled 13-straight ranked opponents, have been a strong singles team all year long with a 56-31 overall record in dual match action. Senior McCartney Kessler, who was named to the All-SEC First Team last week, leads the way with a 13-2 record and has won her last seven matches. Left-handed hitting Sydney Berlin is second on the team with 11 dual match wins and posted an 8-2 mark in SEC competition. Sophomore Layne Sleeth wrapped up the season with a 9-1 record and has posted victories in her last six matchups.
Junior Marlee Zein and senior Ida Jarlskog also garnered all-conference recognition, earning spots on the All-SEC Second Team while freshman Sara Dahlstrom was tabbed to the All-Freshman squad.
No. 8 Kessler, No. 71 Zein, No. 79 Sleeth and No. 103 Jarlskog all carry ITA singles rankings. In doubles, the Gators feature a pair of ranked sides with No. 7 Kessler and Zein and No. 53 Jarlskog and Sleeth.
UF, which has posted a 9-6 record against ranked opponents, last took to the courts on April 21 when it squared off with South Carolina in the SEC Tournament's quarterfinal round. Meeting for the second time in eight days, the Gators weren't able to replicate the same success they had when they defeated the Gamecocks in Columbia in their regular season finale. Florida fell 4-1 to South Carolina despite a late comeback bid.
Both the men's and women's first and second round competitions will feature a four-team bracket, with the winners of each pod advancing to the championship rounds at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla., May 16-22.
Sizing Up the Series Histories
Friday marks the first meeting between Florida and Siena. UF is 3-0 against Oklahoma all time and the last meeting occurred last season at the ITA Kick-off Weekend on the campus of NC State. On Jan. 25, 2020 in its dual match opener, Florida collected a dramatic 4-3 win over the Sooners as Zein provided the match-clincher from court four. Zein sealed the comeback with a 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory. The Gators are 14-7 against USC all time including a 3-0 mark in NCAA play. The last meeting between the programs occurred on Feb. 7, 2016 when the No. 3 Gators posted a 7-0 win over the No. 4 Trojans in Gainesville. The squads last squared off in the NCAA tournament on May 20, 2005 when UF posted a 4-2 win over the Trojans in the quarterfinals in Athens, Ga.
Scouting Siena
Making their second NCAA Tennis Championship appearance in the program history, the Saints (7-3) hoisted the MAAC conference tournament trophy and secured an automatic bid. Junior Meagan Brown, who has won her last six contests, leads the Saints with a 7-3 mark playing all of her matches at No. 1. In doubles Brown and teammate Kylie Mullaney, both Minnesota natives, pair up for form the Saints' top duo. Brown and Mullaney are 7-3 on the season. Siena has won its last five matches overall but is just 1-3 playing in road tilts. Jeff Osborn, in his sixth season at the helm, serves as the head coach for both women's and men's program. Siena also competed in the 2006 NCAA Tennis Championships, falling to Clemson 4-0.
Sooner Specs
No. 22 Oklahoma, winners of six of its last seven matches, earned an at large selection to the tournament after posting a 15-6 overall record. After going 5-0 to conclude regular season action with wins over four ranked opponents, OU was tabbed the UTR ITA Team of the Month in April. On April 7, OU was pegged at No. 25 in the ITA rankings, marking the program's highest ranking and first top-25 appearance since 2014. Registering a 5-3 mark in Big 12 play, the Sooners feature a trio of singles competitors with double-digit singles victories including Dana Guzman, who is 13-1. Carmen Corley, at 12-6 is OU's No. 1 singles player and her sister, Ivana, is 11-5 playing at No. 3 primarily. The Corley sisters are the Sooners' top tandem in doubles and have played to a 16-2 record. Audra Cohen, the 2007 NCAA Women's Individual Singles Championship as a student-athlete at Miami, is in her fifth season as head coach of the Sooners. No. 63 Guzman, No. 64 Carmen Corley and No. 83 Ivana Corley represent the Sooners in the ITA singles rankings while the Corley sisters hold the No. 23 overall rank in doubles.
Talking Trojans
No. 35 USC also earned an at large bid to the NCAA Championships after finishing the season 11-10 out of the Pac-12. The Trojans, who enter the postseason having dropped their last four matches, posted a 5-5 mark in conference play. Making their 37th appearance in the NCAA Tennis Championships, USC is led by junior Salma Ewing who has posted a 13-5 record in singles. Ewing has six wins over ranked foes on the year. In her fourth season as the USC women's tennis head coach, Alison Swain has guided the Trojans to consecutive NCAA appearances. Ewing at No. 42 and No. 98 Eryn Cayetano, who is 10-5 on the season, represent the Trojans in the ITA singles rankings. USC has claimed six NCAA National Championships.
Ticket Information
Tickets may be purchased in advance or on each day of the tournament. An all-session pass is $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, college students, and children under 12. Single day tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens, college students, and children under 12.
Gates will open for fans one hour prior to the start of the first competition each day. Please note that seating is on a first come, first served basis and saving of seats is not permitted.
Based on updated recommendations from the NCAA's COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group local guidelines for fan attendance, not to exceed 50% of the venue capacity, at outdoor NCAA Championships will be followed.
For ticket information please call: 352-375-4683 or visit https://am.ticketmaster.com/gators/TennisNCAA#/
Patrons can purchase and add their tickets to the FloridaGators app or purchase walk-up tickets.
2021 Tennis at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
Florida at the NCAA Championships
Berlin - Singles: 1-1 | Doubles: 1-1
Jarlskog - Singles: 6-0 | Doubles: 3-3
Kessler - Singles: 3-1 | Doubles: 2-2
Zein - Singles: 0-1 | Doubles: 1-1
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Making its 38th NCAA Tennis Championship appearance and its 33rd-straight, Florida will look to build on its impressive 7-1 mark at home this season when it battles Siena. UF, which holds the No. 12 national ranking, is set to host NCAA first and second round play for the 20th time in a possible 21 tournaments since the field expanded to 64 in 1999.
| Florida vs. Siena Match Info |
|---|
| Date | Friday, May 7 |
| Time | 1 p.m. ET |
| Ticket Info | Here |
| Matchup | No. 11 seed Florida (12-7) vs. Siena (7-3) |
| Location | Linder Stadium at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex |
| Parking Info | Parking is available in the Green lot adjacent to the courts |
| Live Stats | Here |
| Live Video | Here |
| Full Bracket | Here |
| Match Notes | Florida |
Competing alongside Florida and Siena are Oklahoma and USC, who will take the courts Friday for a 10 a.m. tilt. With a win over Siena, Florida would take on the victor of the matchup between the Sooners and Trojans. Saturday's regional finale is set for a 4 p.m. first serve. Oklahoma is ranked No. 22 and USC No. 35 in the most recent ITA rankings.
The Florida men's tennis team, its tournament's top overall seed, will also host as the Ring Tennis Complex will serve as a dual site for the opening rounds for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Florida, which finished the regular season on a seven-match winning streak, registered a 10-3 mark in conference play and a second place finish in the SEC. The mighty Southeastern conference sent 13 of its 14 teams to the NCAA tournament, the most of any league in the nation.
The Gators, who have battled 13-straight ranked opponents, have been a strong singles team all year long with a 56-31 overall record in dual match action. Senior McCartney Kessler, who was named to the All-SEC First Team last week, leads the way with a 13-2 record and has won her last seven matches. Left-handed hitting Sydney Berlin is second on the team with 11 dual match wins and posted an 8-2 mark in SEC competition. Sophomore Layne Sleeth wrapped up the season with a 9-1 record and has posted victories in her last six matchups.
Junior Marlee Zein and senior Ida Jarlskog also garnered all-conference recognition, earning spots on the All-SEC Second Team while freshman Sara Dahlstrom was tabbed to the All-Freshman squad.
No. 8 Kessler, No. 71 Zein, No. 79 Sleeth and No. 103 Jarlskog all carry ITA singles rankings. In doubles, the Gators feature a pair of ranked sides with No. 7 Kessler and Zein and No. 53 Jarlskog and Sleeth.
UF, which has posted a 9-6 record against ranked opponents, last took to the courts on April 21 when it squared off with South Carolina in the SEC Tournament's quarterfinal round. Meeting for the second time in eight days, the Gators weren't able to replicate the same success they had when they defeated the Gamecocks in Columbia in their regular season finale. Florida fell 4-1 to South Carolina despite a late comeback bid.
Both the men's and women's first and second round competitions will feature a four-team bracket, with the winners of each pod advancing to the championship rounds at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla., May 16-22.
Sizing Up the Series Histories
Friday marks the first meeting between Florida and Siena. UF is 3-0 against Oklahoma all time and the last meeting occurred last season at the ITA Kick-off Weekend on the campus of NC State. On Jan. 25, 2020 in its dual match opener, Florida collected a dramatic 4-3 win over the Sooners as Zein provided the match-clincher from court four. Zein sealed the comeback with a 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory. The Gators are 14-7 against USC all time including a 3-0 mark in NCAA play. The last meeting between the programs occurred on Feb. 7, 2016 when the No. 3 Gators posted a 7-0 win over the No. 4 Trojans in Gainesville. The squads last squared off in the NCAA tournament on May 20, 2005 when UF posted a 4-2 win over the Trojans in the quarterfinals in Athens, Ga.
Scouting Siena
Making their second NCAA Tennis Championship appearance in the program history, the Saints (7-3) hoisted the MAAC conference tournament trophy and secured an automatic bid. Junior Meagan Brown, who has won her last six contests, leads the Saints with a 7-3 mark playing all of her matches at No. 1. In doubles Brown and teammate Kylie Mullaney, both Minnesota natives, pair up for form the Saints' top duo. Brown and Mullaney are 7-3 on the season. Siena has won its last five matches overall but is just 1-3 playing in road tilts. Jeff Osborn, in his sixth season at the helm, serves as the head coach for both women's and men's program. Siena also competed in the 2006 NCAA Tennis Championships, falling to Clemson 4-0.
Sooner Specs
No. 22 Oklahoma, winners of six of its last seven matches, earned an at large selection to the tournament after posting a 15-6 overall record. After going 5-0 to conclude regular season action with wins over four ranked opponents, OU was tabbed the UTR ITA Team of the Month in April. On April 7, OU was pegged at No. 25 in the ITA rankings, marking the program's highest ranking and first top-25 appearance since 2014. Registering a 5-3 mark in Big 12 play, the Sooners feature a trio of singles competitors with double-digit singles victories including Dana Guzman, who is 13-1. Carmen Corley, at 12-6 is OU's No. 1 singles player and her sister, Ivana, is 11-5 playing at No. 3 primarily. The Corley sisters are the Sooners' top tandem in doubles and have played to a 16-2 record. Audra Cohen, the 2007 NCAA Women's Individual Singles Championship as a student-athlete at Miami, is in her fifth season as head coach of the Sooners. No. 63 Guzman, No. 64 Carmen Corley and No. 83 Ivana Corley represent the Sooners in the ITA singles rankings while the Corley sisters hold the No. 23 overall rank in doubles.
Talking Trojans
No. 35 USC also earned an at large bid to the NCAA Championships after finishing the season 11-10 out of the Pac-12. The Trojans, who enter the postseason having dropped their last four matches, posted a 5-5 mark in conference play. Making their 37th appearance in the NCAA Tennis Championships, USC is led by junior Salma Ewing who has posted a 13-5 record in singles. Ewing has six wins over ranked foes on the year. In her fourth season as the USC women's tennis head coach, Alison Swain has guided the Trojans to consecutive NCAA appearances. Ewing at No. 42 and No. 98 Eryn Cayetano, who is 10-5 on the season, represent the Trojans in the ITA singles rankings. USC has claimed six NCAA National Championships.
Ticket Information
Tickets may be purchased in advance or on each day of the tournament. An all-session pass is $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, college students, and children under 12. Single day tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens, college students, and children under 12.
Gates will open for fans one hour prior to the start of the first competition each day. Please note that seating is on a first come, first served basis and saving of seats is not permitted.
Based on updated recommendations from the NCAA's COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group local guidelines for fan attendance, not to exceed 50% of the venue capacity, at outdoor NCAA Championships will be followed.
For ticket information please call: 352-375-4683 or visit https://am.ticketmaster.com/gators/TennisNCAA#/
Patrons can purchase and add their tickets to the FloridaGators app or purchase walk-up tickets.
2021 Tennis at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex
- There are designated seating blocks for groups of two and four indicated by orange seats in the stands to ensure proper physical distancing. Each block has three feet of distance on all sides.
- The first rows of each section are 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 features 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, with exception to a small number of individuals on the player guest list, 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.
| NCAA First & Second Round Gainesville Regional Full Dual Match Schedule |
|---|
| Date | Friday, May 7 |
| Time | 10 a.m. ET |
| Matchup | Women's Match No. 1 - Oklahoma vs. USC |
| Date | Friday, May 7 |
| Time | 1 p.m. ET |
| Matchup | Women's Match No. 2 - Florida vs. Siena |
| Date | Saturday, May 8 |
| Time | 10 a.m. ET |
| Matchup | Men's Match No. 1 - Duke vs. South Florida |
| Date | Saturday, May 8 |
| Time | 1 p.m. ET |
| Matchup | Men's Match No. 2 - Florida vs. South Alabama |
| Date | Saturday, May 8 |
| Time | 4 p.m. ET |
| Matchup | Women's Regional Finale - TBD vs. TBD |
| Date | Sunday, May 9 |
| Time | 2 p.m. ET |
| Matchup | Men's Regional Finale - TBD vs. TBD |
Florida at the NCAA Championships
- The Gators have earned a spot in 38 of the 39 NCAA Championships, missing only the 1986 event.
- The Gators have won seven NCAA team titles: 1992, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2011, 2012 and 2017. This is the second most in NCAA history, trailing just Stanford.
- UF has advanced to at least the NCAA semifinals 24 times in the last 32 years.
- Head Coach Roland Thornqvist has guided the Gators to the NCAA Championships in 19 seasons. *2020 the NCAA Championships were not held due to COVID-19.
- The Gators have qualified for 33-straight NCAA Championships.
- Florida won three National Championships last decade (2011, 2012 and 2017)
- All-time record: 115-30
- Round of 64: 21-0
- Round of 32: 18-3
- Round of 16: 30-4
- Quarterfinals: 25-5
- Semifinals: 14-11
- Final: 7-7
- Home: 52-6
- Away: 4-3
- Neutral: 59-21
- As No. 1: 46-11 (3 titles, 5 runner-ups)
- As No. 2: 31-3 (4 titles, 1 runner-up)
- As No. 3: 5-1 (1 runner-up)
- As No. 4: 15-4 (3 semifinal appearances)
- As No. 5: 5-3 (3 quarterfinal appearances)
- As No. 6: 4-1 (1 semifinal appearance)
- As No. 8: 4-1 (1 semifinal appearance)
- As No. 9: 1-1 (round of 32)
- As No. 15: 2-1 (round of 16)
Berlin - Singles: 1-1 | Doubles: 1-1
Jarlskog - Singles: 6-0 | Doubles: 3-3
Kessler - Singles: 3-1 | Doubles: 2-2
Zein - Singles: 0-1 | Doubles: 1-1
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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