Very tough loss to number 7 Georgia, after experiencing another gut wrenching defeat on the weekend. There are two ways of looking at this weekend's defeats to top ten ranked Tennessee and Georgia. On the one hand, one can mope and point fingers at this player or that player. On the other hand is the fact this young team has rebounded from early SEC losses to Mississippi State and even worse, Alabama at home, to a team that came within an eye lash of beating two of the best teams in the nation this weekend. This team has come so far and all they want is validiation to the fact that they can compete with the best teams in the land THIS YEAR! I know how hard these guys have worked under the tutelege of the best coaching staff in collegiate tennis. I hope that these guys can get the break through win that validates their commitment to the Gators before the season ends. One additional thing I want to state. These SEC teams and others who are currently in the top ten of collegiate tennis better get their licks in this year, because next season the experience and influx of talent this team will experience will be there for all to see. Go Gators!
This weekend was why I was kind of rough on their chances to find a good win. It’s not like they are awful. But they just can’t win the big points this year. It’s where the women were a couple of year ago, 4-3 was almost a swear word. Difference is the men should recover quicker with their recruiting.
Rankings for both squads should be flipped. We are Florida and there is tennis played in the state. Jmo
What does "flipped" mean? By and large both teams are still very good, just not what we have been spoiled by (women for decades, men under Shelton). FYI, there is tennis played everywhere...and the number of native Floridians playing elite tennis probably isn't as high as you might think.
Sure can't point fingers on men or women.....there have been bright spots and lows from almost everyone on the roster. This weekend being a perfect example......Grant has been the pleasant surprise for much of this season but he loses a key match vs UT and UGA. Nate has probably been the disappointing guy, he wins a 5th set TB vs UGA and crucial doubles vs UT. Emily has by far been the surprise for the women, she gets demolished in both matches this weekend after being super reliable all year, Gailis has probably done a little less than her #1 recruit ranking but she came out and blistered both opponents. Agree that both teams can be a tough out for anyone.....I will be disappointed if both don't win a regional and make the final 16. To me that's always the minimum bar.
Time will tell on regionals. Florida’s men will be on the road most likely. As for the women, the Sunday match was pushed inside. Florida's womens team is not an indoor team, and that especially is true in the case of Emily, whose forte is being steady rather than attacking an opponent.
As I had said a couple of weeks ago, the landscape of NIL with Florida Victorious, which was announced publically today, will put us on an even footing with other D1 schools. Men's tennis is already in the mix and will now be competitive recruiting with all the other top tennis schools.
Men have the added match today vs UNF to bolster the win total UF takes doubles, but were losing on court 1 (UNF has pretty solid 1 and 2 guys Singles Nefve 3-4 Grant 3-4 Braswell 4-1 Greif 5-1 Nate 6-0 Nirundorn 6-0 Bottom half should lock it up quickly
Nirundorn first to the line 0 and 2, Nate and Lukas racing for next Grant won his first set, Nefve in a TB
Nefve was down 3-0 in his TB, wins the TB and 6-0 second set Grant wins 4 and 4 Braswell 1 and 2 Lukas 1 and 1 Nate 0 and 3 Nirundorn 0 and 2 Solid day