TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– The Gators pulled off a stunning upset over No. 21-ranked Alabama on Sunday, securing a hard-fought 4-3 victory in Tuscaloosa. The Gators clinched the match with strong performances in both doubles and singles play, highlighted by a dominant finish from No. 50 Rachel Gailis.
 
Doubles Action:
Florida showed out early in Crimson Tide territory, claiming the crucial doubles point over the top-25 ranked team. The duo of Alicia Dudeney and Bente Spee edged out Alabama’s Petra Sedlackova and Margaux Maquet, 6-4, while Nikola Daubnerova and Gailis secured the doubles point for UF with a close 7-5 win over Alabama’s Sara Nayar and Klara Milicevic.
 
Singles Play:
Alabama fought back against the Gators in the singles category, tying the score at 2-2 and 3-3, but Florida held firm to close out the upset. Dudeney cruised to a 6-0, 6-2 win over Maria Andrienko at the No. 2 spot to secure UF’s second point of the day.
 
Senior leader, Bente Spee also delivered in the singles category with a steady 6-3, 6-3 victory over Margaux Maquet. The fourth and final point for the Gators came from Gailis, who showcased her ability to fight after dropping the first set 6-3 to No. 79 Petra Sedlackova, before rallying to take sets two and three at 6-2, 6-0. Gailis’ win on court one sealed the overall road victory for Florida.
 
Florida’s freshmen proved to have a more challenging outing with Talia Neilson-Gatenby falling 7-5, 6-2 to Klara Milicevic, Daubnerova dropping 6-3, 6-4 against Maria Martinez-Vaque, and Noémie Oliveras being overpowered by Sara Nayar at 6-0, 6-3.
 
FINAL RESULTS:
Final Singles Results:
1. #50 Rachel Gailis (UF) def. #79 Petra Sedlackova (UA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-0
2. Alicia Dudeney (UF) def. Maria Andrienko (UA) 6-0, 6-2
3. Klara Milicevic (UA) def. Talia NeilsonGatenby (UF) 7-5, 6-2
4. Maria Martinez-Vaque (UA) def. Nikola Daubnerova (UF) 6-3, 6-4
5. Bente Spee (UF) def. Margaux Maquet (UA) 6-3, 6-3
6. Sara Nayar (UA) def. Noemie Oliveras (UF) 6-0, 6-3
Order of finish: 6, 2, 4, 3, 5, 1

Final Doubles Results:

1. Alicia Dudeney/Bente Spee def. Petra Sedlackova/Margaux Maquet (UA) 6-4

2. Nikola Daubnerova/Rachel Gailis def. Sara Nayar/Klara Milicevic (UA) 7-5

3. Maria Martinez-Vaque/Maria Andrienko (UA) def. Talia N. Gatenby/Noemie Oliveras 6-3

Order of finish: 3, 1, 2

TEAM RECORDS:

Florida: 6-6, (3-4 SEC)

Alabama: 9-6, (3-4 SEC)

 

UP NEXT:

Florida will return to Gainesville for a four-match home stretch, spanning from Mar. 20 to Mar. 28. The Gators will host Morgan State, Missouri, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas.

Morgan State (3-6, 0-0 MEAC):

 
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: X | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators