GAINESVILLE, Fla.– The Florida Gators faced a tough challenge on Sunday afternoon, as they were defeated 4-0 by the No. 3 ranked Texas A&M Aggies in a weather-impacted matchup that was played entirely in singles. Despite the effort, the Gators fell short, with the final score reflecting a difficult battle against one of the nation’s top teams.

At the top of the lineup, Florida’s No. 50-ranked Rachel Gailis had a tough test against No. 3 Mary Stoiana. Gailis fought hard, battling an injury but ultimately succumbed to Stoiana’s powerful service game, falling 6-3, 6-1.

Alicia Dudeney, playing on court two, was locked in a thrilling three-set battle against No. 15 Nicole Khirin. Dudeney took the second set in a gritty 7-5 performance, but Khirin bounced back strongly in the third set to secure a 7-6, 5-7, 6-0 victory.

Talia Neilson-Gatenby also battled through a tough match on court three against No. 51 Mia Kupres. Neilson-Gatenby managed to rally and win the second set 6-3, but ultimately fell short as Kupres claimed the final set 6-1, winning the match 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.

On court four, Nikola Daubnerova faced off against No. 57 Lucciana Perez. Despite some solid play, Daubnerova was unable to keep up with Perez’s consistency, eventually losing 6-1, 6-4.

The Gators had two unfinished matches when the Aggies took their fourth point of the morning. Bente Spee was in a close contest, but trailed to No. 62 Daria Smetannikov when the match was called at 5-3 in the first set. Similarly, Noemie Oliveras faced off with Lexington Reed but lost the first set 6-0 before the match was halted.

With the singles sweep, the Gators and Aggies did not participate in doubles play. Overall UF was unable to capture a point against the powerhouse Aggies, but despite the challenging results, there were positive takeaways, including the resiliency shown by Dudeney and Neilson-Gatenby in their respective three set thrillers.

 

FINAL RESULTS:

Final Singles Results:

1. #3 Mary Stoiana (TAMU) def. #50 Rachel Gailis (UF) 6-3, 6-1

2. #15 Nicole Khirin (TAMU) def. Alicia Dudeney (UF) 7-6, 5-7, 6-0

3. #51 Mia Kupres (TAMU) def. Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1

4. #57 Lucciana Perez (TAMU) def. Nikola Daubnerova (UF) 6-1, 6-4

5. Bente Spee (UF) vs. #62 Daria Smetannikov (TAMU) 3-5, unfinished

6. Noemie Oliveras (UF) vs. Lexington Reed (TAMU) 0-6, unfinished

Order of finish: 1, 3, 2, 4

Final Doubles Results:

1. #31 Mary Stoiana/Lucciana Perez (TAMU) vs. Alicia Dudeney/Bente Spee (UF) no result

2. #68 Mia Kupres/Daria Smetannikov (TAMU) vs. Noemie Oliveras/Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) no result

3. Nicole Khirin/Lexington Reed (TAMU) vs. Rachel Gailis/Nikola Daubnerova (UF) no result

Order of finish: ( )

TEAM RECORDS:

No. 61 Florida: 4-6, (1-4 SEC)

No. 3 Texas A&M: 14-1, (4-0 SEC)

UP NEXT:

Florida will get back on the road and travel to Starkville, Miss for a Friday afternoon matchup against the Bulldogs. The match will begin at 3 p.m. with doubles going out first at A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre. 

at Mississippi State (9-4, 0-4 SEC)

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