Olivia Janowicz set the tone with her strong on-court mentality on Sunday.
The junior breezed by Tennessee’s Mimi Fotopoulos for a 6-2, 6-2 victory at Ring Tennis Complex. Her win helped Florida grab a 3-0 lead against Tennessee before clinching a 4-0 win.
“I’ve done a better job honing in, focusing and fighting for every single point,” said Janowicz, whose play has progressed throughout the season.
Coach Roland Thornqvist added: “She’s using both corners when she plays singles now … she’s really dangerous when she does that.”
Janowicz also made an impact in doubles.
She helped the Gators overcome a 8-2 loss by Alexandra Cercone and Sofie Oyen. Janowicz and Caroline Hitimana came back from a three-point deficit to beat Tennessee’s Fotopoulos and Sarah Foti 8-5.
Lauren Embree and Brianna Morgan finished the comeback.
The pair went back and forth with Joanna Henderson and Caitlyn Williams, tying at 5-5 before Embree and Morgan pulled away to clinch the doubles point for the Gators with an 8-5 victory.
Thornqvist said the Embree and Morgan pairing is the team’s strongest one in doubles this season.
“[Embree and Morgan] got the model right,” Thornqvist said. “They hit the ball, create movement, and that’s what we’re trying to do with all three of our teams.”
Florida used the momentum from collecting the doubles point to begin singles strongly, winning the first set on all six courts.
Hitimana cruised past the Volunteers' Tiffany Tavares in fewer than 90 minutes with a 6-1, 6-0 victory. Embree clinched Florida's victory shortly after Hitimana and Janowicz gave the Gators a commanding 3-0 lead.
Embree won 6-3, 6-1 to earn Florida a 4-0 victory.
“History tells you that [Embree's] going to be successful more than she won’t,” Thornqvist said. “But we gotta make sure we don’t take that for granted.”
But Thornqvist added it is critical for other players to finish the job themselves rather than rely on teammates to end the match.
“We’re going to get there, there’s no question in my mind that we will,” Thornqvist said. “We’re still sort of chugging along a little bit.”
Olivia Janowicz prepares to return a serve in a match against Duke in 2011.
