As the Gator tennis teams retire for the holiday season, let’s take a look back at what was a good fall season for both the men’s and women’s teams.
The men’s team took home a couple of titles in the fall. Junior Elliott Orkin won the flight a singles title in the SEC Fall Classic held at Auburn University, and the senior tandem of Diego Hidalgo and Gordon Watson won the doubles title at the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional Championships. The duo also defeated the top ranked Georgia tandem of Wagland and Smith in the semifinal en-route to the title.
The women’s team did not take home any major singles titles in the fall, but their doubles teams shined, wrapping up the season with a title win from senior Brianna Morgan and sophomore Anna Danilina over Oklahoma State at the Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic on Sunday. At the USTA Clay Court Invitational doubles final, Gators competed against Gators for the title as the tandem of Josie Kuhlman and Brianna Morgan defeated teammates Spencer Liang and Peggy Porter in a close game that ended 8-7.
At the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional Championships the Gators also had two teams in the doubles final, with the tandem of Belinda Woolcock and Josie Kuhlman defeating Liang and Porter. Florida coach Roland Thornqvist says he is pleased with his team’s performance despite not taking home any major singles trophies. Thornqvist states that how his team performs in the spring season is dependent on how they prepare over the holiday break.
The spring season for the men begins with a doubleheader versus Troy and Stetson on January 17th, and for the women begins with the UNLV Invitational in mid-January.