Florida’s team of sophomore Allie Will and freshman Sofie Oyen defeated Alabama’s fourth-seeded duo of Alexa Guarachi and Courtney McLane (6-3, 7-6[6]) to advance to the finals at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships in Flushing, N.Y.
The duo has compiled a 10-1 record this season, with the only loss coming against the same team they will face today in Clemson’s No. 5 pair of Josipa Bek and Keri Wong.
Coach Roland Thornqvist said Will and Oyen are better prepared for the matchup as they have spent time in practice trying to counter some of Clemson’s strengths, which include crossing and applying pressure on UF’s second serve.
The early success by Will and Oyen can be attributed to good communication and complimentary playing styles, Thornqvist said.
“If we play up to our capability, I think we have a chance,” he said. “We can’t play subpar and expect to win tomorrow. The team we’re playing tomorrow is too good to let an average team beat them.”
Will’s attempt at making it to the singles finals ended as she lost her semifinals match against Southern California’s Maria Sanchez in three sets (7-5, 4-6, 6-0).
Senior Alexandre Lacroix’s run at a title also ended as he fell to Tennessee’s Rhyne Williams in the semifinals.
While Lacroix got the better of Williams in their matchup at the ITA All-American Championships on Oct. 8, No. 21 Williams defeated No. 9 Lacroix in straight sets on Saturday (6-4, 6-4) to advance to the finals.
Even with the loss, Lacroix still holds an impressive 14-2 singles record this season.
The senior has stepped up when it counts as he holds a 10-1 record against nationally ranked opponents.
Gator in finals: Sophomore Bob van Overbeek advanced to the finals of the University of Texas Invitational after winning his two matches on Saturday.
No. 105 Van Overbeek defeated Oklahoma’s Lawrence Formentera in straight sets (6-3, 6-2) in the quarterfinals before emerging victorious over Texas A&M’s Colin Hoover in a three-set battle (6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1).
Van Overbeek will take on Oklahoma’s Peerakit Siributwong in the finals today.
In doubles action, freshmen Michael Alford and Andrew Butz came up short in their run at a championship as they dropped their match against Hoover and Alberto Bautista (8-5).
Fall Classic: The Gator Fall Classic wrapped up on Saturday with the team of Caroline Hitimana and Joanna Mather defeating Florida State’s Manon Veldman and Frederica Suess (8-1).
With the win, Hitimana and Mather finished the tournament with an undefeated doubles record.
Mather went 1-1 in singles action on the day, picking up a 6-2, 6-2 win over Florida International’s Liset Brito.
