Josie Kuhlman and Belinda Woolcock smiled as they began to stretch before practice Monday afternoon. And why wouldn’t they?
They are the only members on the Florida tennis team to qualify for the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships, with competition beginning today in Flushing, New York.
“It’s always nice to have multiple players play in New York,” UF coach Roland Thornqvist said. “It’s the best players in America.”
Kuhlman and Woolcock qualified as a doubles pair last November, lasting through the first two rounds before losing in the quarterfinals.
But this year, both were selected to compete in the singles category.
Woolcock played in singles last fall, reaching the semifinals of the tournament before losing in three sets.
Kuhlman, on the other hand, hasn’t played in the singles draw since 2014, where she lost in the opening round. But times have changed.
“Josie is a different player,” Thornqvist said. “She hits the ball much harder now, she moves much better. So the fact that she earned her way in I think is fantastic.”
But with the tennis tournament held indoors, all three agree the matches may be a little different.
“We are so used to being in Florida and outdoors,” Woolcock said. “But I think indoors is a great opportunity to look at how we’re competing inside.”
Kuhlman and Thornqvist both said the style of play at the National Indoor Championships will be faster than what they’re used to this season. But it won’t change how they play.
“You can attack a little earlier in the points, use the serve more, so stuff like that,” Kuhlman said. “But as far as changing our games, we aren’t going to change anything.”
With Kuhlman a junior and Woolcock a senior, Thornqvist doesn’t see the change from outdoor to indoor courts as a large issue, adding that “both hit the ball harder now than they have previously in their career.”
Thornqvist emphasized in practice to take opportunities when an opponent hits a ball short, and to be “clinical” in decision making on offense.
Despite the tips Thornqvist had for his players, he knows they are ready for this weekend.
“I think our players have played against that caliber of talent week in and week out,” Thornqvist said.
“I think these two are ready.”
Contact Cassie Amundson at camundson@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @camundson_.
Belinda Woolcock returns a ball during a ball during Florida's win against South Florida on Jan. 27 at the Ring Tennis Complex.
