Friday, May 13
Chapel Hill, NC
4 PM
Florida Gators
0
at
4
North Carolina
McCartney Kessler will represent Florida at the NCAA Singles & Doubles Championships (Photo by Anthony Sorbellini)
Gators Fall to No. 1 North Carolina in Super Regional
Friday, May 13, 2022 | Women's Tennis
CARY, N.C. – Florida women's tennis fought until the very end in their Super Regional matchup, but fell to No. 1 North Carolina, 4-0, at the Cary Tennis Park on Friday afternoon to end their season.
In doubles competition, North Carolina (27-2, 12-1 ACC) managed to put pressure on the Gators (21-7, 10-3 SEC) quickly. At two doubles, Bente Spee and Marlee Zein were able to grab a game against the Tar Heels, but Alle Sanford and Carson Tanguilig took the match, 6-1.
The Gators faced a tall task on court one, as the No. 26 duo of Alicia Dudeney and McCartney Kessler had a matchup with No. 2 Fiona Crawley and Elizabeth Scotty. Florida came out as the aggressor, quickly breaking the Tar Heels (27-2, 12-1 ACC) for a 1-0 lead in the match. The opposition would answer, rattling-off six-consecutive games to take the match and claim the doubles point.
Court three proved to be the most competitive of the afternoon. Carly Briggs and Emma Shelton battled to a 2-2 start against Cameron Morra and Reilly Tran, with no points coming easy for either duo. The match ended with UNC holding a 3-4 advantage, but the Gators took the final game before play concluded.
The Tar Heels quickly extended their lead over UF, taking back-to-back points on courts six and two. Anika Yarlgadda took down Emma Shelton: 6-0, 6-2, on court six before No. 30 Scotty defeated No. 81 Zein: 6-1, 6-3, extending the UNC to 3-0.
The remaining four courts found themselves in tight competitions, including Briggs at the four singles slot. The junior went neck-and-neck with No. 55 Crawley, trading games early in the first set before the Tar Heel claimed a 3-2 lead. Crawley's lead would grow to 5-2, but Briggs closed the gap to 5-4 late in the opener. Crawley managed to hold on for the first set win, however, 6-4.
In similar fashion to the first set, the opponents exchanged punches throughout the second set, resulting in a Carolina lead, 5-4, late in the frame. With keeping the match alive on her shoulders, Briggs rose to the occasion to tie the set at 5-5 on match point. Crawley, who boasts one of the best records in the NCAA, held on to claim the match for UNC, defeating Briggs 7-5 in the second set.
On the three courts still in play as the match ended, one ended tied at one-a-piece while Sara Dahlstrom held a one-set lead: 7-6, 4-5, over No. 51 Tanguilig and Dudeney was leading No. 35 Tran: 6-3, 4-5. Twelfth-ranked Kessler was in control of her match in the third set, leading No. 5 Morra at the top singles spot: 6-3, 2-6, 2-1.
The 2022 season comes to an end as the best season for the Gators since the 2017 campaign. The Orange & Blue collected 21 wins and earned a spot in the Super Regional, marking their deepest run in the NCAA Tournament since winning the national championship in 2017.
While the team portion of Florida's season may have concluded, UF will send a group of athletes to the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships on May 23. Kessler will represent the Gators in singles action while the duo of Briggs and Zein will compete on the doubles side of the bracket.
Singles
No. 12 McCartney Kessler vs. No. 5 Cameron Morra (UNC): 6-3, 2-6, 2-1, unf.
No. 30 Elizabeth Scotty (UNC) def. No. 81 Marlee Zein: 6-1, 6-2
Alicia Dudeney vs. No. 35 Reilly Tran (UNC): 6-3, 4-5, unf.
No. 55 Fiona Crawley (UNC) def. Carly Briggs: 6-4, 7-5
Sara Dahlstrom vs. No. 51 Carson Tanguilig (UNC): 7-6, 4-5, unf.
Anika Yarlagadda (UNC) def. Emma Shelton: 6-0, 6-2
Order of Finish: 6, 2, 4
Doubles
No. 2 Fiona Crawley/Elizabeth Scotty (UNC) def. No. 26 Alicia Dudeney/McCartney Kessler: 6-1
Alle Sanford/Carson Tanguilig (UNC) def. Bente Spee/Marlee Zein: 6-1
Carly Briggs/Emma Shelton vs. Cameron Morra/Reilly Tran (UNC): 3-4
Order of Finish: 2, 1
Quotables
Head Coach Roland Thornqvist
On the overall match…
"First, I thought Carolina was outstanding. They certainly handled the moment better than we did in doubles. I thought we had some big eyes in doubles, and that was unfortunate because you have to be aggressive against this North Carolina team. If you're on your heels, they're going to clean your clock. I thought, for the most part, we did a good job bouncing back. I was really pleased to see that we played some high-level tennis at a few spots today, but I think our team is disappointed with this loss. We lost to a good team, there's no question about that, but in general, I think our team had desires to go farther."
On McCartney Kessler's performance…
"It was high-level. McCartney (Kessler) played really well and then she got a little dinged up and lost momentum a bit while Cameron started playing better in the second, but I thought that level was pretty good."
On Alicia Dudeney's bright future…
"Lissy (Alicia Dudeney) played really well and also lost momentum when they took an injury timeout in the beginning of the second set and I think we have to learn, in the future, how to stay the course when that's the second or third time this year that it's happened for the youngsters. Liss is going to be one of the best players in college tennis next year, there's no doubt in my mind. She's too athletic, she hits the ball too clean, she trains too hard, and she listens and tries too hard not to continue to improve."
On Sara Dahlstrom's and Carly Briggs' effort…
"Sara has had a monster year training-wise and you can see that in her game. She's starting to really have more confidence. I thought Carlee battled really well today. She hasn't been feeling well this week, but she really battled hard. I know we're terribly disappointed, but this is a good North Carolina that we wish all the best in the future."
On what Florida can take away from a successful season…
"It's important for us to see ourselves as a final four team, that's what Florida tennis has been and what we really need it to be. We have to have players who think the same and believe the same, that's really important. Obviously getting past that dreaded second round was great, this was our first taste of a sweet sixteen on the road and you can tell the advantage it is to play at home in this round. If nothing else, this is certainly going to propel our desire to be a Super Regional host in the future."
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In doubles competition, North Carolina (27-2, 12-1 ACC) managed to put pressure on the Gators (21-7, 10-3 SEC) quickly. At two doubles, Bente Spee and Marlee Zein were able to grab a game against the Tar Heels, but Alle Sanford and Carson Tanguilig took the match, 6-1.
The Gators faced a tall task on court one, as the No. 26 duo of Alicia Dudeney and McCartney Kessler had a matchup with No. 2 Fiona Crawley and Elizabeth Scotty. Florida came out as the aggressor, quickly breaking the Tar Heels (27-2, 12-1 ACC) for a 1-0 lead in the match. The opposition would answer, rattling-off six-consecutive games to take the match and claim the doubles point.
Court three proved to be the most competitive of the afternoon. Carly Briggs and Emma Shelton battled to a 2-2 start against Cameron Morra and Reilly Tran, with no points coming easy for either duo. The match ended with UNC holding a 3-4 advantage, but the Gators took the final game before play concluded.
The Tar Heels quickly extended their lead over UF, taking back-to-back points on courts six and two. Anika Yarlgadda took down Emma Shelton: 6-0, 6-2, on court six before No. 30 Scotty defeated No. 81 Zein: 6-1, 6-3, extending the UNC to 3-0.
The remaining four courts found themselves in tight competitions, including Briggs at the four singles slot. The junior went neck-and-neck with No. 55 Crawley, trading games early in the first set before the Tar Heel claimed a 3-2 lead. Crawley's lead would grow to 5-2, but Briggs closed the gap to 5-4 late in the opener. Crawley managed to hold on for the first set win, however, 6-4.
In similar fashion to the first set, the opponents exchanged punches throughout the second set, resulting in a Carolina lead, 5-4, late in the frame. With keeping the match alive on her shoulders, Briggs rose to the occasion to tie the set at 5-5 on match point. Crawley, who boasts one of the best records in the NCAA, held on to claim the match for UNC, defeating Briggs 7-5 in the second set.
On the three courts still in play as the match ended, one ended tied at one-a-piece while Sara Dahlstrom held a one-set lead: 7-6, 4-5, over No. 51 Tanguilig and Dudeney was leading No. 35 Tran: 6-3, 4-5. Twelfth-ranked Kessler was in control of her match in the third set, leading No. 5 Morra at the top singles spot: 6-3, 2-6, 2-1.
The 2022 season comes to an end as the best season for the Gators since the 2017 campaign. The Orange & Blue collected 21 wins and earned a spot in the Super Regional, marking their deepest run in the NCAA Tournament since winning the national championship in 2017.
While the team portion of Florida's season may have concluded, UF will send a group of athletes to the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships on May 23. Kessler will represent the Gators in singles action while the duo of Briggs and Zein will compete on the doubles side of the bracket.
Singles
No. 12 McCartney Kessler vs. No. 5 Cameron Morra (UNC): 6-3, 2-6, 2-1, unf.
No. 30 Elizabeth Scotty (UNC) def. No. 81 Marlee Zein: 6-1, 6-2
Alicia Dudeney vs. No. 35 Reilly Tran (UNC): 6-3, 4-5, unf.
No. 55 Fiona Crawley (UNC) def. Carly Briggs: 6-4, 7-5
Sara Dahlstrom vs. No. 51 Carson Tanguilig (UNC): 7-6, 4-5, unf.
Anika Yarlagadda (UNC) def. Emma Shelton: 6-0, 6-2
Order of Finish: 6, 2, 4
Doubles
No. 2 Fiona Crawley/Elizabeth Scotty (UNC) def. No. 26 Alicia Dudeney/McCartney Kessler: 6-1
Alle Sanford/Carson Tanguilig (UNC) def. Bente Spee/Marlee Zein: 6-1
Carly Briggs/Emma Shelton vs. Cameron Morra/Reilly Tran (UNC): 3-4
Order of Finish: 2, 1
Quotables
Head Coach Roland Thornqvist
On the overall match…
"First, I thought Carolina was outstanding. They certainly handled the moment better than we did in doubles. I thought we had some big eyes in doubles, and that was unfortunate because you have to be aggressive against this North Carolina team. If you're on your heels, they're going to clean your clock. I thought, for the most part, we did a good job bouncing back. I was really pleased to see that we played some high-level tennis at a few spots today, but I think our team is disappointed with this loss. We lost to a good team, there's no question about that, but in general, I think our team had desires to go farther."
On McCartney Kessler's performance…
"It was high-level. McCartney (Kessler) played really well and then she got a little dinged up and lost momentum a bit while Cameron started playing better in the second, but I thought that level was pretty good."
On Alicia Dudeney's bright future…
"Lissy (Alicia Dudeney) played really well and also lost momentum when they took an injury timeout in the beginning of the second set and I think we have to learn, in the future, how to stay the course when that's the second or third time this year that it's happened for the youngsters. Liss is going to be one of the best players in college tennis next year, there's no doubt in my mind. She's too athletic, she hits the ball too clean, she trains too hard, and she listens and tries too hard not to continue to improve."
On Sara Dahlstrom's and Carly Briggs' effort…
"Sara has had a monster year training-wise and you can see that in her game. She's starting to really have more confidence. I thought Carlee battled really well today. She hasn't been feeling well this week, but she really battled hard. I know we're terribly disappointed, but this is a good North Carolina that we wish all the best in the future."
On what Florida can take away from a successful season…
"It's important for us to see ourselves as a final four team, that's what Florida tennis has been and what we really need it to be. We have to have players who think the same and believe the same, that's really important. Obviously getting past that dreaded second round was great, this was our first taste of a sweet sixteen on the road and you can tell the advantage it is to play at home in this round. If nothing else, this is certainly going to propel our desire to be a Super Regional host in the future."
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JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1
#1 Singles Match
1234
6220
Cameron Morra / 0 (5/-) [NC]
361UF
#2 Singles Match
12
13
Elizabeth Scotty / 0 (30/-) [NC]
66
#3 Singles Match
123
640
Reilly Tran / 0 (35/-) [NC]
35UF
#4 Singles Match
12
45
Fiona Crawley / 0 (55/-) [NC]
67
#5 Singles Match
123
740
Carson Tanguilig / 0 (51/-) [NC]
65UF
#6 Singles Match
12
02
Anika Yarlagadda / 0 [NC]
66
Order of Finish:
6,2,4
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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NCAA: Coach Thornqvist & Rachel Gailis 5-4-24
Saturday, May 04
Roland Thornqvist Postmatch NCAA Second Round 5-6-23
Saturday, May 06
Roland Thornqvist Postmatch NCAA First Round 5-5-23
Friday, May 05
