The last two NCAA women's tennis seasons have ended with Lauren Embree.
As a sophomore in 2011, she was down 4-0 in the decisive third set in the clinching match of the NCAA Championship before rallying back to win the title for the Gators.
In 2012, Embree dominated UCLA's McCall Jones, 6-4, 6-0, to give Florida a 4-0 victory and their second consecutive championship.
"I'm glad this one wasn't as dramatic," Embree said.
The Gators began the 2012 campaign ranked No. 1 in the ITA rankings and did not disappoint, finishing the season with a 27-1 record and sweeping the Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
"We discovered this year that, without a doubt, it is much more difficult to repeat," coach Roland Thornqvist said.
The Gators came into the final match as the No. 2 seed. Florida had only surrendered three points in the entire tournament, all coming against Duke in the NCAA semifinals.
Against UCLA, the Gators left no doubt, dominating the Bruins from the moment both teams stepped onto the courts.
In doubles play, the top-ranked team of Sofie Oyen and Allie Will won their match, 8-2.
Alexandra Cercone and Carolina Hitimana followed Will and Oyen, winning their match 8-5 to give the Gators the doubles point.
Cercone was the first to finish in singles play, winning her match, 6-2, 6-0.
She was later named to the NCAA All-Tournament team for the second consecutive year.
Oyen followed Cercone and also won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
Senior Joanna Mather had just started her third set when Embree clinched the title.
"It's just incredible," Mather said. "I just can't believe it's over and we did it again."
