When any team is getting ready to play its biggest rival, it can be
easy to overlook an upcoming opponent.
With No. 7 Florida preparing to go on the road Sunday to face rival
Florida State, coach Andy Jackson wasn't going to have any of
that.
On
Friday against UCF, the Gators (5-0) started slowly in doubles
play, but they quickly found their focus and walked away with a 7-0
win at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex.
Florida improved to 16-0 all-time against UCF, while reigning
Southeastern Conference Player of the Week Alexandre Lacroix moved
closer to the record for career doubles wins at UF.
Lacroix and partner Nassim Slilam, ranked No. 11 in the ITA doubles
rankings, clinched the doubles point for Florida with an 8-5 win on
court one. It was Lacroix's 90th career doubles victory, tying him
with Matt Behrmann (2000-03) for second on UF's all-time doubles
list.
"We’ve had a difficult week, and I thought it was good for us to
play because obviously we’ve got a huge match on Sunday,” Jackson
said. "I think it helps us a lot that we got to play today."
Two
Gators picked up their first career dual-match victories on Friday.
First, freshman Michael Alford won his doubles match on court two
with Sekou Bangoura, Jr. It was the first dual match appearance for
Alford.
Later, Spencer Newman picked up a singles win against UCF's Joe
Delinks (6-2, 6-1). Newman played in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend
tournament but he didn't get to finish his match.
"My
focus was there today," Newman said. "I got an early break and that
set the tone for the match, so it felt good."
The
highlight of singles action was sophomore Bob van Overbeek picking
up his 11th straight win, a streak dating back to last fall. Ranked
No. 52 in the country, van Overbeek has been dominating his
opponents this spring with a much-improved serve.
All
six Gators recorded straight-sets wins in singles, including
Bangoura, who came back from being down 5-3 in the second set to
win 6-4, 7-5.
The
Gators will look to keep their momentum going on Sunday when they
travel to No. 27 FSU for their first road match of the season.
"We
played better and better as the match went on," Jackson said, "so
I'm encouraged and I look forward to playing the Seminoles."
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FLORIDA WOMEN’S TEAM
The
second-ranked UF women's tennis team will have to wait a little
longer to play its highly anticipated match against Baylor
University.
The
match was postponed until March 30 at a time to be announced.
The
teams were set to square off at Linder Stadium Saturday afternoon
but the Bears were unable to make the trip due to inclement
weather.
Florida’s next match is on Sunday at 1 p.m. against FIU at Linder
Stadium.
