Lauren Embree knows how to use her racket.
The senior tennis player ranks as the No. 1-ranked singles player in the U.S., according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings released Tuesday.
Embree is the second Gator on the current roster to sit atop of the rankings, with senior Sofie Oyen formerly holding the top ranking entering January.
Embree has defeated two players ranked in the top-20 this season, Baylor’s Ema Burgic (12) and University of North Carolina's Gina Suarez-Malaguti (4).
The senior even held on during the lengthy three-set singles match against Stanford’s Nicole Gibbs, but didn’t finish out match play due to freshman Brianna Morgan’s victory.
Embree and the rest of the fourth-ranked Florida women’s tennis team head on the road to face Southeastern Conference newcomers Missouri today and Texas A&M on Sunday.
In Monday’s all-sports press conference, coach Roland Thornqvist said the Gators will play the Tigers on indoor courts.
The Gators played their past two away matches indoors, with split results, and the last half of Sunday’s Stanford match indoors for a win at home.
Thornqvist said his team has to be ready to play fast against Missouri, which may pose a challenge after playing steadier matches last weekend.
Missouri has shut out its past two opponents, clinching 7-0 victories on their home courts.
Florida will have to make the turn around come Texas A&M, who typically play longer sets, Thornqvist said.
The Aggies hold a 6-1 record currently, clinching a win in all three matches they’ve hosted so far.
“Every week you can play someone who’s going to hurt you if you’re not ready,” Thornqvist said about SEC teams in the press conference. “You better be ready every week or someone’s going to run you down.”
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.
