Senior Lauren Embree has been vital to the Gators not only this season, but all four of her years on the team.
“[Embree] is the total package,” Thornqvist said.
“Once in your career, you’ll have a player like that. A player who is as competitive and as big of a team player, and a player who loves the Gators with that kind of passion just don’t come around more than once in a career.”
Embree has been the deciding factor for Florida in pivotal moments.
She clinched each of the team’s back-to-back national championships in 2011 and 2012.
“When Lauren is at her best she makes everyone around her better, including me and [associate head coach Dave Balogh],” Thornqvist said.
“It’s a sad, sad day when Lauren Embree graduates.”
Embree isn’t the only player who has made strides; senior Caroline Hitimana has given the Gators five singles wins in Southeastern Conference matches this season and remains undefeated with a 7-0 singles record this spring.
“I’m very happy to say [Hitimana] is an everyday player for us, probably for the first time in her career, and she has really embraced it,” Thornqvist said.
“I think now Caroline plays completely and only for the Gators.”
The senior from Belgium proved herself in the past when it came to dominating the SEC.
Hitimana clinched the Gators’ 4-1 victory over Georgia in the 2012 SEC Tournament, grabbing the team’s third straight conference title. Hitimana is also 15-1 all-time in conference singles matches.
“Quietly, [Hitimana] goes about her business, but when you look at the stat sheet, she’s got a pretty remarkable record,” Thornqvist said.
With the 2013 SEC Tournament in sight, both Embree and Hitimana will be key players in the final two weeks of regular season play.
Florida (15-2, 8-1 SEC) wraps up home play this weekend with Ole Miss (10-9, 4-5 SEC) today and Mississippi State (7-10, 1-8 SEC) on Sunday.
The Gators sit atop the league with an 8-1 conference record, along with Georgia, Texas A&M and Alabama.
Thornqvist said the team’s odds at winning a fourth straight conference title are good.
“I think they’re all excited that we now control our own destiny,” Thornqvist said.
“I think the team knows we’re going to be the favorite every time we play, and we’ll have a chance now, clearly, to raise another trophy.”
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.
