Briggs brings experience to UF's roster with an impressive record in both singles and doubles.
Women’s Tennis Welcomes Carly Briggs
Thursday, June 24, 2021 | Women's Tennis
Gators add talented transfer from Tennessee.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - University of Florida women's tennis head coach Roland Thornqvist announced Thursday morning the signing of transfer Carly Briggs (Calhoun, Ga.) to the Gators' 2021 class.
Briggs, who finished the 2021 campaign ranked within the top 100 nationally in singles and doubles, joins the Florida program after spending her first two seasons of collegiate eligibility with the Tennessee Volunteers. The Calhoun, Ga. native played towards the top of Tennessee's lineup consistently and registered a record of 29-18 in singles and 34-16 in doubles in her two seasons in Knoxville.
Roland Thornqvist on the signing of Briggs
"We are thrilled to add Carly to our lineup for the fall. It is always important to have players who love playing for trophies and thrive under pressure and that is Carly to a T. She was one of the toughest competitors in the SEC last year and is the perfect final piece in our project towards a new decade of winning tennis. Carly joins a class both deep in talent, but more importantly, full of grit. I can't wait to get everyone back together in August to begin our quest."
Briggs burst on to the scene as a freshman, registering identical 10-3 marks in both singles and doubles during the dual match slate. The ITA recognized Briggs as its Ohio Valley Region Rookie of the Year and she finished ranked No. 103 nationally in singles. In the shortened 2020 campaign, Briggs saw most of her action between the No. 2 and No. 3 slots in singles and primarily competed at No. 3 doubles.
After playing crucial roles in Tennessee's wins over Purdue and Indiana, Briggs was tabbed SEC Freshman of the Week in mid-February.
As a sophomore, Briggs continued to climb in the Volunteers' lineup playing towards the top of the rotation in both singles and doubles. The Peach State native compiled 23 doubles wins and 17 singles victories for the season. Finishing No. 62 in the final ITA singles rankings, Briggs played all of her singles matches on the top three courts and produced two wins from the No. 1 spot. Briggs and teammate Tenika McGiffin combined to form Tennessee's top doubles tandem and finished the season ranked No. 66 in the ITA rankings.
Helping guide the Volunteers to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021, Briggs added a win over No. 90 Rose Johanson of Virginia in postseason play. Briggs was named to the SEC's All-Newcomer Team following her sophomore campaign.
As a prep player, Briggs achieved tremendous success on the USTA circuit. In 2019, Briggs advanced to the semifinals at the USTA Billie Jean King Nationals. In addition to claiming two separate USTA singles titles, Briggs qualified for the main draw of the WTA 25,000 event in Florence, S.C.
Carly Briggs on Her Commitment
"I am so excited to be a part of the Gator Nation. I appreciate the opportunity and am looking forward to working with Coach Ro, Coach Lauren, the team and the support staff. Go Gators!"
Briggs garnered ITA All-Academic Scholar-Athlete honors in 2020.
She is the second transfer to join the Gators this month as Gainesville native Emma Shelton pledged her commitment to Florida after spending her first two seasons at South Carolina.
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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Briggs, who finished the 2021 campaign ranked within the top 100 nationally in singles and doubles, joins the Florida program after spending her first two seasons of collegiate eligibility with the Tennessee Volunteers. The Calhoun, Ga. native played towards the top of Tennessee's lineup consistently and registered a record of 29-18 in singles and 34-16 in doubles in her two seasons in Knoxville.
Roland Thornqvist on the signing of Briggs
"We are thrilled to add Carly to our lineup for the fall. It is always important to have players who love playing for trophies and thrive under pressure and that is Carly to a T. She was one of the toughest competitors in the SEC last year and is the perfect final piece in our project towards a new decade of winning tennis. Carly joins a class both deep in talent, but more importantly, full of grit. I can't wait to get everyone back together in August to begin our quest."
Briggs burst on to the scene as a freshman, registering identical 10-3 marks in both singles and doubles during the dual match slate. The ITA recognized Briggs as its Ohio Valley Region Rookie of the Year and she finished ranked No. 103 nationally in singles. In the shortened 2020 campaign, Briggs saw most of her action between the No. 2 and No. 3 slots in singles and primarily competed at No. 3 doubles.
After playing crucial roles in Tennessee's wins over Purdue and Indiana, Briggs was tabbed SEC Freshman of the Week in mid-February.
As a sophomore, Briggs continued to climb in the Volunteers' lineup playing towards the top of the rotation in both singles and doubles. The Peach State native compiled 23 doubles wins and 17 singles victories for the season. Finishing No. 62 in the final ITA singles rankings, Briggs played all of her singles matches on the top three courts and produced two wins from the No. 1 spot. Briggs and teammate Tenika McGiffin combined to form Tennessee's top doubles tandem and finished the season ranked No. 66 in the ITA rankings.
Helping guide the Volunteers to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021, Briggs added a win over No. 90 Rose Johanson of Virginia in postseason play. Briggs was named to the SEC's All-Newcomer Team following her sophomore campaign.
As a prep player, Briggs achieved tremendous success on the USTA circuit. In 2019, Briggs advanced to the semifinals at the USTA Billie Jean King Nationals. In addition to claiming two separate USTA singles titles, Briggs qualified for the main draw of the WTA 25,000 event in Florence, S.C.
Carly Briggs on Her Commitment
"I am so excited to be a part of the Gator Nation. I appreciate the opportunity and am looking forward to working with Coach Ro, Coach Lauren, the team and the support staff. Go Gators!"
Briggs garnered ITA All-Academic Scholar-Athlete honors in 2020.
She is the second transfer to join the Gators this month as Gainesville native Emma Shelton pledged her commitment to Florida after spending her first two seasons at South Carolina.
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.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
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