Jan. 31, 2012
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By Chris Jones
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The Knights face a tough test and travel upstate to Gainesville, Fla., where they take on No. 1 Florida Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. The Gators are preseason favorites to win the SEC and repeat as national champions after winning the 2011 NCAA Championship.
The Black and Gold is led by seniors Taylor Dubins and Alexis Rodriguez. Dubins, who currently has a 3-1 record, posted wins over No. 17 Florida State, Florida A&M and No. 73 UT Arlington. Rodriguez has also gotten off to a fast start, topping Florida A&M and UT Arlington while at the No. 2 position. The Knights need their experienced seniors like Dubins and Rodriguez to play well in order to match-up with the top- ranked squad in the nation.
The Gators have one of the most talented rosters in women's tennis. Florida has four players ranked inside the top 25 of the Campbell's Intercollegiate Tennis Association College Tennis Rankings. Allie Will and Joanna Mather rank No. 3 and 4 while Anna Bartenstein (No. 15) and Lauren Embree (No. 25) round out the top 25. In total, Florida has seven players ranked in the top 50 of the ITA. The Gators recently defeated Troy to kick off their season, sweeping the Trojans 7-0 to capture their first win.
UCF is looking for a major upset against the Gators Wednesday. After starting out the season 1-1, two recent losses to No. 5 Baylor and UT Arlington at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend have the Knights at 1-3 in 2012.
After the Florida match, the Knights come back home to square off against Conference USA rivals East Carolina and Tulane on Friday and Sunday. The East Carolina match will be at 2 p.m. on Friday while Tulane will line up against UCF Sunday at 10 a.m. Both matches will be held at the UCF Tennis Complex and are free for all fans.