Lauren Embree proves to be a vital player for Florida time and time again.
The senior remained the top-ranked singles player after clinching Florida victories against Georgia’s seventh-ranked Lauren Herring and Tennessee’s No. 20-ranked Brynn Boren last weekend.
The singles wins also grabbed Embree the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week achievement.
Embree’s strength in dominating singles matches helped the Gators jump to the No. 2 spot in this week’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings.
Her persistence on the court not only in singles, but also in doubles makes her an asset in the midst of SEC play.
“I think Lauren’s done a good job with the leadership on that court, trying to show her [doubles partner Brianna Morgan] the way and teach her a little bit,” said coach Roland Thornqvist.
Embree and the Florida women’s tennis team (11-2, 4-1 SEC) host eighth-ranked Alabama (13-1, 5-0 SEC) today at 5, and No. 17-ranked Auburn (14-2, 4-1 SEC) on Sunday at 1.
Alabama is tied with Texas A&M for the lead in the SEC, remaining undefeated after playing five conference matches.
“The players we know are good experienced players,” Thornqvist said of Alabama’s lineup. “We have to play well, there’s no question about it.”
Alabama newcomer Natalia Maynetto adds to the team’s roster after clinching match victory with a 7-5 result in the third set against Auburn.
Maynetto was down 5-1 before coming back and dominating Plamena Kurteva. Maynetto’s singles match is similar to Alexandra Cercone’s 5-5 comeback from a 3-1 deficit against Tennessee’s Caitlyn Williams.
Cercone holds an advantage even in her off days, finding a way to follow through.
“When [Cercone] plays great, she’ll win,” Thornqvist said.
“When she doesn’t feel the ball, she somehow always finds a way. It’s a great luxury to have a player like that in the line up.”
Averaging a 48.02 doubles percentage, the Crimson Tide will be yet another test for the Gators.
Despite consistent doubles losses, Thornqvist said the Gators can shake off a dropped doubles point because of the players’ passion in battling out singles matches.
“We know that we have players throughout the line up that can win for us,” Thornqvist said.
“If you want to win the championship, you have to win at each and every spot.”
UF senior Lauren Embree returns a volley from Baylor sophomore Ema Burgic during the No. 1 Gators’ 7-0 win against the 15th-ranked Bears on Feb. 2. Embree has won four Southeastern Conference titles at Florida.
