After a 6-1 victory over DePaul Saturday and 4-0 rout of FIU, the Gators women’s tennis team is looking to add to its body count this weekend.
Facing No. 22 Southern California today and No. 3 Pepperdine Saturday, top-ranked Florida will be able to evaluate itself after facing its toughest competition of the season.
“We’ll learn more once we get to California and once we get to the indoors about our absolute level of play,” head coach Roland Thornqvist said.
Thornqvist believes that this weekend is the best preparation for the National Team Indoor Championships next weekend, which will feature North Carolina, Oklahoma State and Georgia.
The Gators head to California with momentum behind them following their strong start to the season while also traveling with the SEC Freshman of the Week.
Ingrid Neel was awarded the honor on Wednesday after posting a combined singles and doubles record of 3-0 to start her collegiate career. Neel will once again join her doubles partner Anna Danilina today. The two have been dominant playing the No. 2 position in doubles, and they look to continue their success.
“They’re going to better every weekend too. Those are two players who love coming forward. They just put so much pressure on you,” Thornqvist said. “They can have that immediate impact on a match, where the opening game of a set they just come at you.”
The Gators will need to be able to apply pressure early as they face a talented USC team today. The Trojans (3-1) are coming off a sizable 7-0 victory over San Diego State on Wednesday.
Florida will open its weekend of play against them today at 4:30 p.m.
Contact Spencer Thompson at sthompson@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @spencemthompson.
Anna Danilina watches the ball during the 2016 ITA Regional Championships at the Ring Tennis Complex.
