Gainesville native Emma Shelton is returning home to compete for the Orange and Blue.
Emma Shelton Joins Gators
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 | Women's Tennis
Women's tennis welcomes standout and Gainesville native, Emma Shelton.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - University of Florida women's tennis head coach Roland Thornqvist announced Tuesday morning the signing of transfer Emma Shelton (Gainesville, Fla.) to the Gators' 2021 class.
Shelton returns home to Florida after spending her first two seasons of collegiate competition at the University of South Carolina. The 2020 ITA Carolina Region Rookie of the Year, compiled over 30 singles and 30 doubles victories during her time in Columbia and finished 11-0 in dual match play as a freshman.
It is a Gators homecoming for the 5-foot-10 rising junior as she will compete on the courts alongside her father Bryan, the Florida men's tennis coach, and brother Ben, a rising sophomore on the men's team.
Roland Thornqvist on Shelton's Commitment
"We are thrilled to have a player like Emma join our project towards championships again. It was impressive to hear how much she cares about the team culture and I know she will add real leadership and work ethic to our team. Emma is the kind of person you love to be around and we can't wait to get started in trying to make her dreams come true."
The Buchholz High School graduate was regarded as a five-star recruit and the No. 7 overall prospect coming out of Florida in 2019. Although her rookie campaign was cut short in mid-March, Shelton produced noteworthy results from the top portion of the Gamecocks' lineup. Competing between the No. 2 through No. 4 slots, Shelton registered an 11-0 record. In doubles, her production was just as impressive as she led the entire roster with 19 victories overall. Shelton rose to as high as No. 12 in the ITA doubles rankings.
As a sophomore, Shelton continued to build on her strong start notching a 13-12 record which included 10 dual match wins. Shelton was the Gamecocks' primary option on the third court in singles and posted seven wins at that position while registering a 9-8 record at No. 2 doubles.
Emma Shelton on Her Commitment
"I'm so thankful for the opportunity to become a part of Gator Nation, and to be home in Gainesville with my family. I can't wait to get to work with this talented team and the amazing coaches. Go Gators!"
In addition to her success on the courts, Shelton was lauded for academic achievements with SEC Academic Honor Roll and ITA Scholar-Athlete designations in 2020.
The Florida women's tennis program qualified for its 33rd-straight NCAA Tennis Championships in 2021 and hosted the tournament's first and second rounds for the 20th time in a possible 21 chances since the field expanded to 64 in 1999. The Gators have claimed seven NCAA National Championships, the second-most in the history of the sport.
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Shelton returns home to Florida after spending her first two seasons of collegiate competition at the University of South Carolina. The 2020 ITA Carolina Region Rookie of the Year, compiled over 30 singles and 30 doubles victories during her time in Columbia and finished 11-0 in dual match play as a freshman.
It is a Gators homecoming for the 5-foot-10 rising junior as she will compete on the courts alongside her father Bryan, the Florida men's tennis coach, and brother Ben, a rising sophomore on the men's team.
Roland Thornqvist on Shelton's Commitment
"We are thrilled to have a player like Emma join our project towards championships again. It was impressive to hear how much she cares about the team culture and I know she will add real leadership and work ethic to our team. Emma is the kind of person you love to be around and we can't wait to get started in trying to make her dreams come true."
The Buchholz High School graduate was regarded as a five-star recruit and the No. 7 overall prospect coming out of Florida in 2019. Although her rookie campaign was cut short in mid-March, Shelton produced noteworthy results from the top portion of the Gamecocks' lineup. Competing between the No. 2 through No. 4 slots, Shelton registered an 11-0 record. In doubles, her production was just as impressive as she led the entire roster with 19 victories overall. Shelton rose to as high as No. 12 in the ITA doubles rankings.
As a sophomore, Shelton continued to build on her strong start notching a 13-12 record which included 10 dual match wins. Shelton was the Gamecocks' primary option on the third court in singles and posted seven wins at that position while registering a 9-8 record at No. 2 doubles.
Emma Shelton on Her Commitment
"I'm so thankful for the opportunity to become a part of Gator Nation, and to be home in Gainesville with my family. I can't wait to get to work with this talented team and the amazing coaches. Go Gators!"
In addition to her success on the courts, Shelton was lauded for academic achievements with SEC Academic Honor Roll and ITA Scholar-Athlete designations in 2020.
The Florida women's tennis program qualified for its 33rd-straight NCAA Tennis Championships in 2021 and hosted the tournament's first and second rounds for the 20th time in a possible 21 chances since the field expanded to 64 in 1999. The Gators have claimed seven NCAA National Championships, the second-most in the history of the sport.
𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘 Emma Shelton!!! 🧡💙
— Gators Women's Tennis (@GatorsWTN) June 15, 2021
🗞️ https://t.co/qDtgtMQgkT#GoGators 🐊🏠 pic.twitter.com/R2R0gYR0m0
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
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