KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– The Florida Gators faced a tough challenge on Friday evening, falling 5-2 to the No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers. Despite finding success on two courts, the Gators were unable to overcome the early Volunteers advantage. Florida now holds an overall record of 8-10 and stands at 4-8 in SEC play. 

Doubles Action:

Tennessee gained an early lead taking courts three and two in doubles play. The Volunteers sealed the doubles point with a 6-3 victory on court two. Tennessee’s ranked pair, No. 38 Catherine Aulia and Leyla Britez Risso defeated Rachel Gailis and Talia Neilson-Gatenby to take the 1-0 lead.

 

The doubles contest on court one, featuring No. 45 Bente Spee and Alicia Dudeney, remained unfinished. When the match was called, No. 50 Elza Tomase and Maeve Thornton led 5-3 over the Gator pair.

Singles Play:

Florida attempted to regain control but was unable to cut into the lead before Tennessee secured the win. The Volunteers struck first in singles with 6-2, 6-1 win from No. 69 Leyla Britez Risso over Neilson-Gatenby.

 

Tennessee showed no signs of slowing down as Saray Yli-Piipari claimed a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Noemie Oliveras on court five. The match was secured on court one, where No. 21 Rachel Gailis fell 6-3, 6-3 to top-ranked No. 7 Tomase.

Despite clinching the match, the remaining courts were played out. On court two, No. 75 Alicia Dudeney opened the scoring column for UF, defeating No. 34 Aulia 6-3, 6-4. Elim Yan earned Tennessee’s fifth and final point defeating Reagan Parker 7-6 (7-3), 6-3. Spee logged the Gators second point after going into extended sets. Spee took the first set 7-5, but Thornton responded cruising to a 6-2 win in the second forcing a third. The final set was a super tiebreak with Spee coming out on top 10-3.

 

FINAL RESULTS:

Final Singles Results:

1. #7 Elza Tomase (TENN) def. #21 Rachel Gailis (UF) 6-3, 6-3

2. #75 Alicia Dudeney (UF) def. #34 Catherine Aulia (TENN) 6-3, 6-4

3. #69 Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) 6-2, 6-1

4. Bente Spee (UF) def. Maeve Thornton (TENN) 7-5, 2-6, 10-4

5. Saray Yli-Piipari (TENN) def. Noemie Oliveras (UF) 6-4, 6-3

6. Elim Yan (TENN) def. Reagan Parker (UF) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3

Order of finish: 3,5,1,2,6,4

Final Doubles Results:

1. #50 Elza Tomase/Maeve Thornton (TENN) vs. #45 Bente Spee/Alicia Dudeney (UF) 5-3, unfinished

2. #38 Catherine Aulia/Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Rachel Gailis/Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) 6-3

3. Conley Raidt/Saray Yli-Piipari (TENN) def. Reagan Parker/Noemie Oliveras (UF) 6-1

Order of finish: 3,2

TEAM RECORDS:

No. 34 Florida:  8-10, (4-8 SEC)

No. 6 Tennessee: 15-4, (9-3 SEC)

 

UP NEXT:

Florida will stay on the road and travel to Lexington for a Sunday showdown against the Wildcats. UF will meet UK on Sunday afternoon with doubles going out at 1 p.m. ET.

No. 46 Kentucky (9-10, 3-8 SEC)

 
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