Dynamic Duo Of Will And Embree Lead Gators Into Round Of 16
Friday, May 20, 2011 | Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Allie Will and Lauren Embree have known each other for half their lives. They've played so many matches against one another they have lost count over the years.
Growing up amid the South Florida tennis scene, Will and Embree each developed into prominent junior players well before they turned into teenagers. Will grew up in Boca Raton and Embree in Marco Island.
They often met at various junior tournaments, each trying to outdo the other. Their matches were never dull.
“There have been some very long ones,'' Will said. “It's always fun to play her because she doesn't give you anything and when you win a point you know you earned it.''
Gators women's tennis coach Roland Thornqvist was aware of both players for several years, so when Will and Embree neared the finish of high school in 2009, Thornqvist recruited both heavily.
If he could land one, Thornqvist figured he would have a strong top of the order at No. 1 singles. If he landed both, well, that was a long shot. He might dance down University Avenue from excitement if that happened.
Embree committed first, which in turn helped Will make up her mind.
“She is definitely one of the reasons I came here,'' Will said. “She has a great work ethic, a great person to train with. I knew we would be able to push each other and to help each other out.''
Thornqvist is still smiling from landing both.
In their first season as teammates, Will and Embree helped the Gators advance all the way to the NCAA championship before losing to Stanford. They hope to make a return trip as sophomores, starting with Friday's match against Clemson in the NCAA Tournament's round of 16.
Thornqvist is the least surprised of anyone in how Will and Embree have instantly changed the program's fortunes. The Gators lost 10 matches in the 2008-09 season, the most in program history. They are 27-1 and the No. 2 overall seed in this year's tournament.
“I knew right away when we got commitments from those two that we hit a home run,'' Thornqvist said. “It was a slam dunk.''
Embree starred at No. 1 singles a year ago as Will adjusted to the college game. Embree had multiple wrist surgeries following the season, forcing her to miss the fall. Meanwhile, Will moved into the No. 1 singles spot and shined.
When Embree returned this spring, she went 6-0 at No. 1 singles before Thornqvist moved her into the No. 2 slot behind Will when the tougher portion of the schedule rolled around. It was a chance for Will to continue to grow her game and for Embree to regain her conditioning and confidence.
The move worked so well than Thornqvist has kept Will at the top. She is 22-1 overall – 17-1 at No. 1 singles – and climbed to No. 7 in the country. Embree has been just as good, going 21-0 overall and currently ranked No. 17 nationally.
At this point who plays at No. 1 or No. 2 doesn't concern the longtime opponents and friends.
“I don't think it matters for Allie or me,'' Embree said. “We just go out there and try to get a win for the team. I knew when I came in here that with Allie and me both committing, that we would have a very strong team. She has proven herself. She should be playing 1. She is playing great tennis right now and is really helping out our team.''
Both said they consider themselves similar players, Embree's backhand perhaps her best shot and Will's forehand a key to her improvement.
Will said as far as any animosity or competition on their roles, that's never been an issue between them. They hang out away from the court and push each other on it.
“I think we have just adapted to that,'' Will said. “We really just want what's best for the team. It really doesn't matter if we play 1 or 2 that day. You just have to go out and give everything you have. I think we've just put our egos to the side and are trying to help each other out as best as we can.''
The competition is one Thornqvist would like to have every season. The dynamic duo at the top of the lineup gives Florida an advantage over most other teams.
“It's very rare to have two players like Allie and Lauren on the same team,'' he said. “A lot of teams have one player of that ability, but we're very fortunate to have to. That's very unusual.''
Florida's most-experienced player is junior Joanna Mather, who splits her time between Nos. 3 and 4 singles. She isn't the least concerned where Will and Embree are in the lineup.
Mather has confidence in both players if the Gators advance through the NCAA Tournament and a match rests on either Will or Embree needing to win.
“Both of them are amazing. They are some of the toughest competitors I know,'' Mather said. “. It gives you a lot of confidence to know that your 1 and 2 are so strong. If we play well, we can win at any spot.''
In the first and second rounds of the tournament last weekend, Will and Embree each cruised in wins 4-0 wins over South Carolina State and South Carolina. They are a combined 43-1 in dual matches.
Embree's 21-match win streak is tied for 10th-longest in UF history and Will's .908 career winning percentage (79-8 record) ranks second in school history behind only Lisa Raymond, who went 84-4 (.954) in 1992 and 1993.
“We are both very competitive people,'' Will said. “We both want to win.''
Much like the way they play, Embree has a similar view of the two.
“I love this time of year,'' she said. “It's really competitive. Allie wants to do everything she can to help the team win and so do I. That's all that really matters to us.''
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