BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After going undefeated in singles for the third consecutive weekend and earning two key doubles victories, Rachel Gailis was named SEC Freshman of the Week for the second time this season, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.
In back-to-back seasons, Florida has had a freshman earn SEC Freshman of the Week twice in a season after Alicia Dudeney also did so in 2022. Gailis earned her first honor on Feb. 8 and becomes the eighth Gator all-time to claim the honor twice during their freshman season.
Gailis was crucial for Florida securing the No. 4 seed in the SEC Tournament, as the Gators won both road matches against No. 61 Alabama and No. 15 Auburn. Starting off against Alabama, the No. 74 pair of Gailis and Carly Briggs kicked off doubles with a 6-3 win over Parkhomenko/Sedlackova. The Delray Beach, Fla. native followed up by adding UF’s third point with a straight set victory, 6-3, 6-2 over Anna Parkhomenko.
Up against Auburn to decide which team secured the double-bye, Gailis and Briggs dropped just one game against Flach/Okutoyi and sped past for the 6-1 victory, snapping the Auburn pair’s three-match winning streak. Gailis boosted the Orange & Blue towards the top-15 triumph after taking charge in the three-set win over Kaitlyn Carnicella, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 for Florida’s third point of the match.
Gailis is riding a seven-match winning streak in singles and improved to 11-2 at the four spot, as well as a team-best 13-3 record overall in dual play. In doubles, Gailis is 7-4 in the SEC and 10-5 overall on court two.
No. 17 Florida will be back in action on Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m. ET in Fayetteville, Ark. for the 2023 SEC Tournament quarterfinals, as the team awaits their opponent to be determined.
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In back-to-back seasons, Florida has had a freshman earn SEC Freshman of the Week twice in a season after Alicia Dudeney also did so in 2022. Gailis earned her first honor on Feb. 8 and becomes the eighth Gator all-time to claim the honor twice during their freshman season.
Gailis was crucial for Florida securing the No. 4 seed in the SEC Tournament, as the Gators won both road matches against No. 61 Alabama and No. 15 Auburn. Starting off against Alabama, the No. 74 pair of Gailis and Carly Briggs kicked off doubles with a 6-3 win over Parkhomenko/Sedlackova. The Delray Beach, Fla. native followed up by adding UF’s third point with a straight set victory, 6-3, 6-2 over Anna Parkhomenko.
Up against Auburn to decide which team secured the double-bye, Gailis and Briggs dropped just one game against Flach/Okutoyi and sped past for the 6-1 victory, snapping the Auburn pair’s three-match winning streak. Gailis boosted the Orange & Blue towards the top-15 triumph after taking charge in the three-set win over Kaitlyn Carnicella, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 for Florida’s third point of the match.
Gailis is riding a seven-match winning streak in singles and improved to 11-2 at the four spot, as well as a team-best 13-3 record overall in dual play. In doubles, Gailis is 7-4 in the SEC and 10-5 overall on court two.
No. 17 Florida will be back in action on Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m. ET in Fayetteville, Ark. for the 2023 SEC Tournament quarterfinals, as the team awaits their opponent to be determined.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
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