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It’s a team with players that show leadership, friendship, determination, and strong tennis play.
Those are just a few of the words head coach Roland Thornqvist used when describing the 2017 Florida Women’s Tennis team. The team is already projected to do well this season, as the SEC picked the team to win the SEC title this year as they did last year.
Thornqvist had nothing but good things to say about his women’s team, who he says are a lot different from previous teams.
As the Gators prepare for the 2017 half of their season, Thornqvist highlights why this women’s team is different.
Key Players
While he recognizes his team as being well-rounded, Thornqvist holds that 5-6 freshman Ingrid Neel is the player to watch.
Ingrid Neel signed with the Gators in 2015 using a National Letter of Intent. The freshman enrolled at the University of Florida the beginning of January and has continued to impress the team. Neel dominates in doubles play, as she won five doubles titles in 2016. She also won a singles tournament in 2016.
With Neel being a key player on this year’s team, Thornqvist hopes to work with her and continue to improve her tennis play.
We know it's a preseason ranking, but … it's cool to be #1 #GoGators pic.twitter.com/yRGHvhMRdU
— Gators Women's Tennis (@GatorsWTN) January 5, 2017
Seniors Belinda Woolcock, Kourtney Keegan, and Spencer Liang, are also being looked at to lead the team. Both Woolcock and Keegan have spent their entire collegiate career under Roland Thornqvist. Keegan won the 2016 NCAA Doubles National Championship with with teammate Brooke Austin. Liang has spent the last two seasons with the Gators, transferring from Harvard after her freshman season.
Thornqvist says this year’s seniors do a good job in being what the team needs.
Preparing for the Future
After going undefeated in the SEC in 2016 and 23-3 in all, it is no question that Roland Thornqvist and his Gators are looking to do the same.
The team is preparing for their season-opener on Saturday for the ITA Kick-Off Weekend.
Finally! When the whole group is together … it's TeamPhoto day! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/vyLsJAXusS
— Gators Women's Tennis (@GatorsWTN) January 20, 2017
For the next few days, Thornqvist plans to have his players continue playing against each other in practice as he looks for a lineup to set.
The 16-year Florida head coach knows, though, that nothing is definite. Thornqvist will use these next few games to find out what works best for his team.
The Gators welcome DePaul to Gainesville Saturday at 2 p.m.
