The Georgia Bulldogs have always been a thorn in the side of the Gators women’s tennis team.
Over the last 10 seasons, Florida is 10-6 against Georgia, but UGA has frequently knocked UF out of the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA Tournaments.
On Friday, the Bulldogs will look to end something else for the Gators — sole possession of the SEC title.
Florida is playing with little to lose. A loss to Georgia and a win on Sunday against Tennessee — who holds the second-worst record in the SEC — will guarantee Florida a share of the title.
Meanwhile, Georgia must win. If it takes home victories in its last two games, the Bulldogs will earn a share of the title.
As No. 4 Florida (16-2, 11-0 SEC) takes on No. 3 Georgia (17-2, 10-1 SEC) at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex at 5 p.m., the Gators aren’t feeling the heat.
"We put all the pressure on Georgia here on Friday night," UF coach Roland Thornqvist said. "They have to beat the Gators in order to have a chance to raise the trophy or they’ll finish second again. That’s a great position for us to be."
Historically, Florida holds a 46-15 record over Georgia, with six of Georgia’s 15 wins coming in the last 10 years.
Whereas the Gators are riding an 11-game winning streak, the Bulldogs have won four in a row after falling to Vanderbilt on March 26.
Georgia is led by No. 4 Ellen Perez, who is 13-1 in dual-match singles this season. The No. 20 Bulldogs’ duo of Perez and Mariana Gould is 9-4 this season and has won four in a row.
Meanwhile, the Gators are led by No. 7 Brooke Austin, who boasts a 12-2 dual-match record in singles. On the doubles courts, No. 46 Spencer Liang and Peggy Porter are 13-4 this season.
The tandem of Danilina and Morgan has also been competing well as of late, currently riding an eight-match winning streak. In singles, Danilina is at nine wins, while Liang and Austin are at six each.
"Right now we’re playing well," Thornqvist said. "I think we’re physical, we’re fit. We’re using our fitness the way we like it. So the doubles point will be crucial, obviously. The crowd and handling our emotions will be our greatest challenge."
Contact Jake Dreilinger at jdreilinger@alligator.org and you can follow him on Twitter @DreilingerJake.
UF doubles tandem Brianna Morgan and Anna Danilina celebrate during Florida’s win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.
