Lauren Embree pulled out a magical performance to will the UF women’s tennis team to a national championship last week, but the sophomore ran out of steam just short of an individual singles championship.
Embree continued to steamroll opponents after her comeback win on Wednesday sparked the Gators to their fifth national championship. She advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Tournament against Stanford’s Stacey Tan before having to withdraw due to injury.
Embree withdrew right before playing the third set.
Coach Roland Thornqvist said a nail had come off one of Embree’s toes, and skin issues on the toe were too painful for her to continue after splitting the first two sets.
“Lauren’s been such a warrior but [Sunday] she was forced to retire,” Thornqvist said. “She’s the toughest player I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching.”
The loss ended a stellar 2011 campaign for Embree which saw her rebound from wrist surgery in phenomenal fashion. The loss Sunday was her first of the season, as she ended the year with a 28-1 mark.
“She had a great run, with lots of things to be proud of this year,” Thornqvist said. “This is obviously disappointing, but I know she’ll be motivated to do even better next year.”
In Gators men’s tennis, Alexandre Lacroix’s career at UF ended, but he didn’t go down without a fight.
Although he was upset early in singles action, Lacroix and partner Sekou Bangoura Jr. made a deep run to the semifinals of the doubles tournament.
The Gators duo finally saw their season end Sunday to Stanford’s Bradley Klahn and Ryan Thacher.
“Like [Saturday’s match in the quarterfinals], I felt like it was Alex and Sekou’s best match of the year,” coach Andy Jackson said. “Our guys played better than yesterday, but the level of the team we played was much better today.”
Jackson said Stanford was “just too good” in the end, as Lacroix and Bangoura fell despite winning the first set.
Lacroix ended his career as the winningest player in UF history with 214 career victories. The senior also tops UF’s record books for most doubles wins with 104.
