Tennis Weekly Honors: Feb. 8

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Player of the Week

 Taha Baadi, Kentucky

Baadi, against No. 1 Virginia, with the team match knotted at three, won a decisive third set tiebreaker over Virginia's Ryan Goetz to secure a 4-3 upset for Kentucky in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA National Championship. Baadi also paired with Alafia Ayeni at No. 1 doubles to help the Wildcats earn the doubles' point against the Cavaliers. In the sweep over Virigina Tech, Baadi defeated Manel Goncalves in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. He is a perfect 6-0 in singles matches this season, dropping just one set.

Freshman of the Week

Jonah Braswell, Florida

Braswell, was the only Gator to notch two ranked-wins in singles against a trio of Top-20 ranked teams this last week. In his first rivalry match of his career against then-No. 12 Florida State, Braswell clinched the match win for Florida on court four by defeating then-No. 53 Jamie Connel, 7-6 (8), 6-3. The Sarasota, Fla. native was down 6-3 in the first set breaker, but rallied back to win the first frame. After being down 3-2 in the second set, Braswell showed more fight and responded by winning four consecutive games to earn the first clinch of his young career at USTA's College MatchDay. During the SEC/Pac-12 Challenge, Braswell earned another ranked-win in straight sets over Southern Cal's then-No. 65 Bradley Frye, 6-4, 6-2. Playing with partner Lukas Greif, the then-No. 43 ranked pair clinched both doubles points against Southern Cal and Stanford, respectively, with two 6-4 victories at court three. Braswell leads Florida with a 20-4 singles record, 5-1 in duals and 6-3 against ranked opponents. Additionally, Braswell is 9-3 in doubles and has clinched five doubles points this season.

WOMEN

Player of the Week

 Daira Kuczer, Tennessee

Kuczer, continued to have tremendous success in singles during her final year of eligibility, carding her fifth ranked victory of the season over No. 25 Abigail Rencheli on the road. Kuczer entered the year with just three ranked matchups played, and now owns multiple top-25 victories and the first ITA singles ranking of her career. Her four-win singles week, with seven total victories, included the 75th singles win of her collegiate career.

Co-Freshmen of the Week

 Kaitlyn Carnicella, Auburn

Carnicella, won both her singles and doubles match in Auburn's 4-3 victory over Texas Tech. Her quick 6-4, 6-3 victory over Cristina Tiglea on court four was the first singles match to finish. In doubles, she and partner DJ Bennett were also the first off the court after a 6-2 win.

 Rachel Gailis, Florida

Gailis, completed a perfect day on Sunday with victories in both singles and doubles competition. Matched-up against Shcherbinina/Thompson of Baylor (RV) in doubles, the No. 58 squad of Spee and Gailis secured a 6-3 win to open the day. Gailis then earned a straight-set, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Danielle Tuhten at the five singles slot to improve to 3-0 in dual singles competition, all without dropping a set in her victories. The freshman also boasts a perfect 2-0 mark in dual doubles matches as well.