Gators head coach Roland Thornqvist gathers his team during Saturday's NCAA Tournament win over Georgia Tech. (Photo: Maddie Washburn/UAA Communications)
Gators, Thornqvist Show Some Postseason Pep in Step
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 | Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — He called it "amazing May drama." He did so in an animated voice laced with zest, belying a 53-year-old man of Scandinavian descent in his fourth decade of coaching.
Roland Thornqvist, after a spirited afternoon darting around the court Saturday during his Gators women's tennis team's NCAA Tournament victory over Georgia Tech, flashed a familiar spunk missing this time of year the past few seasons.
Florida's 4-1 win over the Yellow Jackets meant more tennis. The Gators travel to play at No. 1-seed North Carolina on Friday in the Super Regional Round.
They did the same thing a season ago. But not like this.
"We're a completely different team,'' Thornqvist said. "Last year's team was happy with going to Chapel Hill to play No. 1. That was an achievement. I don't think this year's team feels that way at all. This team sees a path to four points.
"It's tough to win if you don't really think you can."
The '22 Gators got swept by the Tar Heels. Still, after three consecutive postseasons ended in the second round, last year's team advanced a round deeper, a sign of progress for a program that has won four national titles under Thornqvist, including the 2017 crown.
The '23 Gators are young. Six of the nine members are first- or second-year players. They played much older in their win over Georgia Tech, a victory capped when freshman Rachel Gailis defeated Alejandra Cruz 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
In his 22nd season, Thornqvist celebrated the moment on the court and immediately turned the focus to their North Carolina trip. He reminded the Gators (18-7) how far they have come from a few weeks ago. Florida lost back-to-back Southeastern Conference matches to Tennessee and Georgia a month ago. The Gators are 5-1 since and now have an opportunity to make their most significant statement yet at North Carolina (31-1).
The Gators swarm Rachel Gailis (hidden in the huddle) after her victory at No. 4 singles clinched an NCAA Tournament victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex. (Photo: Maddie Washburn/UAA Communications)
It won't be easy. Nothing usually is against the Tar Heels, the tournament's top overall seed for the third consecutive year. However, after starting 29-0, North Carolina lost to N.C. State in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Championship.
But Thornqvist's message after Saturday's win was more about his team's journey than the challenge the Tar Heels pose. The Gators had to dig deep in the Florida sun after winning the doubles point against Georgia Tech.
In singles, they didn't buckle when the Yellow Jackets stung.
"We had to beat them,'' he said. "They weren't going to give it to us."
Following the doubles victory, the Gators got singles wins from Alicia Dudeney (No. 3) and Sara Dahlstrom (No. 1) to stretch their lead to 3-0. Georgia Tech's Kylie Bilchev beat Carly Briggs at No. 2 singles to put the Yellow Jackets on the board and increase tension at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.
Thornqvist walked from court to court, encouraging his players, knowing how quickly momentum can escape and never be recaptured.
"Though it looked like we were dominating midway through the singles, 30 minutes later, it's high drama,'' he said.
That's when Gailis answered with a punch-out finish to knock off Cruz at No. 4 singles, her 10th consecutive victory.
Two days after the victory, Gailis' outlook rang similar to her veteran coach's. The Gators are playing well and know they are the underdog at North Carolina, but they believe.
They believe they are peaking. They believe in themselves. They believe they can win.
"I do for sure,'' Gailis said. "I believe in every single one of these girls. I think if we all fight and play the way that we did this weekend, we have a very good chance. I think we're right there."
It's been 20 years since Thornqvist won his first national championship at Florida, claiming the 2003 title in only his second season. The Gators won back-to-back national championships in 2011 and '12, and six years ago won their last one.
They are heavy underdogs to win in 2023, but Thornqvist is enthusiastic about the possibilities. He has watched the Gators develop into a dangerous doubles team, and seen each singles player improve some part of her game over the season.
Thornqvist started the season not sure what to expect.
"Trying to predict whether you are going to be a Final Four team or not, I think that's a dangerous game to play,'' Thornqvist said. "What's so cool is just seeing the appetite they had for tennis and learning. I knew that because they like tennis and wanted to spend time on the court, we had a chance to be pretty good."
His most certain assessment: this is a team not afraid of work. The Gators relish it.
On Monday morning less than 48 hours after Saturday's win, the Gators had an optional practice. The players showed up full of energy and vigor.
Days like that is why Thornqvist is smiling more this May than the past few.
"Nobody wants to play us when we play like this,'' he said. "We're taking it to teams. We're not just trying to make balls. We're imposing our will on opponents. These are fun women to be around. I think everybody feels we're playing at a much higher level."
Make no mistake, the Gators' surge has their coach in high spirits. All one had to do was watch Thornqvist at work on Saturday as the amazing May drama unfolded.
He was right where he likes to be, in the middle of the postseason with a team on the rise.
