The
top-ranked University of Florida women’s tennis team blanked Pepperdine and earned
its fourth sweep in five matches this season, as the two programs met at the
Taube Tennis Center on the campus of Stanford University Friday afternoon.
The
Gators (5-0) won their 26th consecutive match dating back to last
season thanks to taking an early 1-0 lead by winning the doubles point for the
25th straight time.
Junior
All-Americans Allie Will and Lauren Embree, as well as sophomore Sofie
Oyen won their respective singles matches in straight sets, while Joanna
Mather, Olivia Janowicz and Alexandra Cercone captured three-setters
to complete the sweep.
“It
wasn’t the greatest match for us,” UF head coach Roland Thornqvist said. “I
think we all know we have to do a better job on Sunday (against Stanford). This
season is a work in progress. We need to be tough. That’s how you win matches
on the road.”
Will,
ranked No. 3 in the country, was the first off the court as she defeated
Pepperdine’s 72nd-ranked Ale Granillo, 6-1, 6-2. Will is a perfect 10-0 in
overall singles matches this year and 93-10 in her career.
Embree
was the next off the court, defeating Khunpak Issara, 6-1, 6-3 and giving Florida
a 3-0 lead against the 27th-ranked Waves (2-2). Embree is now 71-11
in her singles career, including a 47-4 dual match mark.
Oyen
provided the clinching victory with her 6-3, 6-4 decision over Ali Walters on
court five. The win was Oyen’s eighth straight, as she remained perfect in dual
match action this season.
Janowciz
dropped her first set against Megan Moore, but came back strong in the final two
sets to capture the 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory. Mather then followed with a 6-1,
4-6, 6-2 win against Lorraine Guillermo, before Cercone capped the dual match
results with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over Arianna Colffer on court four.
Florida
returns to action, continuing its two-match road swing on the West Coast, as
the Gators battle second-ranked Stanford on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. It will be a
rematch of the 2011 NCAA Championship team final also played at the Taube
Tennis Center and won by Florida, 4-3.
“I’m
very excited about the challenge,” Thornqvist said of Sunday’s match against
the Cardinal. “Stanford’s a great team. I think they’re healthy now. We
certainly have our work cut out for us.”
#1
Florida vs. #27 Pepperdine
Taube
Tennis Center * Stanford, Calif.
Friday,
February 10, 2012
Final
Score:
Florida 7, Pepperdine 0
