CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 16 Florida women’s tennis team gave No. 1 North Carolina all they could handle in the Super Regional match, but fell short in singles and dropped 4-1 at the Chewning Tennis Center on Friday night to complete their season.
For the 18th time this season, Florida (18-8, 9-4 SEC) jumped out to the 1-0 lead after doubles, but did so in comeback fashion against North Carolina (32-1, 13-0 ACC). All three Gators’ pairs came firing out the gates, as each pair was the first to break serve. Leading the charge was No. 67 Carly Briggs/Rachel Gailis at the two position after opening with a 3-1 lead via two converted breaks against Elizabeth Scotty/Carson Tanguilig. With a one break advantage, Briggs/Gailis received some pushback from the Tar Heels and couldn’t hold serve at 4-2, but immediately broke back. With a chance to hold serve at 5-3 and secure their court, Briggs/Gailis did just that, earning their 11th victory as a tandem by a score of 6-3.
As Emma Shelton/Sophie Williams dropped 6-3 on court three, No. 21 Alicia Dudeney/Bente Spee found themselves in a jam on court one down 5-3 to Fiona Crawley/Abbey Forbes. After the two sides exchanged breaks for four straight games, Crawley/Forbes broke the Gators’ serve for the 5-3 advantage, but Dudeney/Spee broke right back and kept their hopes alive. The deciding match was sent to a tiebreak and Dudeney/Spee showcased why they’re one of the best tandems in the country, outlasting UNC 7-4 in the breaker. With the victory, UF downed UNC in doubles and withheld the Tar Heels from earning the point for just the fourth time all season.
Transitioning in to singles against a UNC lineup featuring six ranked-players, Florida knew the fight wouldn’t stop. The Tar Heels came springing back and snatched up first sets on all six courts, despite tight opening frames by Dudeney on three along with Gailis on four.
North Carolina quickly leveled the match at the top singles position in a top-20 ranked-affair between No. 17 Sara Dahlstrom and No. 8 Reese Brantmeier. Down 3-2 to start, Dahlstrom couldn’t fend off Brantemeier and dropped the opening frame 6-3. Brantmeier would then grab the following set 6-2 to tie the match 1-1.
On court five, No. 100 Reilly Tran came out strong versus Emily De…
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