UF Women’s Tennis: Dahlstrom Delivers in Debut

Courtesy of University Athletic Association

Women’s tennis achieves success in fall opener fueled by strong performance by freshman Sara Dahlstrom.

The University of Florida women’s tennis team posted two singles victories and two doubles wins as it launched its 2020 fall campaign Friday afternoon at the SEC Challenge played at the University of Alabama Tennis Stadium. Four UF student-athletes competed individually against the Crimson Tide in the four-team tournament.

Both Sydney Berlin and Sara Dahlstrom registered wins in both singles and doubles, while Marlee Zein and McCartney Kessler paired together to post a win on the doubles circuit.

The Gators opened up doubles play with a victory as Berlin and Dahlstrom, playing together for the first time, added a 6-1 triumph over Moka Ito and Sasha Gorchanyuk. The match was a convincing verdict for the Gator duo as they won in less than 30 minutes. On UF’s other doubles court, Kessler and Zein cruised to a victory by an identical tally of 6-1, defeating Isabella Harvison and Vanesa Nikolovova.

After kick starting the day with her first-ever doubles win, Dahlstrom, the freshman from Sweden, was equally as dominant in singles, notching a victory at a 6-2, 6-0 tally.

Despite a back-and-forth opening set, Zein fell in a 7-6, 6-2 decision to UA’s Harvison. But the Gators would end the day in the win column thanks to a momentous comeback from Berlin. Berlin fell behind early and conceded the first set 6-1 to Sydney Riley. The Buffalo, N.Y. native stormed back and equalized with 6-4 victory in set two and then in the winner-take-all third stanza, Berlin sealed the deal by claiming the final frame 6-3.

The Gators return to action Saturday morning at 11 a.m. ET to take on Georgia.

Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 10
(all times listed in ET)
Florida/Miss State vs. Georgia at 11 a.m.

Schedule
Sunday, Oct. 11
(all times listed in ET)
Florida/Miss State vs. Kentucky at 10 a.m.