Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The second-ranked University of Florida men's tennis team (14-2, 5-0 SEC) continued its success at home and in SEC play as it downed 24^th-ranked Auburn, 7-0, Friday at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex.
 
The Gators, who continue to sit atop the SEC standings as the lone unbeaten team in conference play, are off to their best start in league play since 1975. UF remains unbeaten at home this season (9-0) and has won 11 straight at Ring Tennis Complex dating back to last season. Florida also claimed its third straight victory over Auburn (9-4, 1-3).
 
Florida swept the three doubles matches to take the opening point for the sixth straight match. At number two doubles senior Justin O'Neal teamed with sophomore Olivier Levant to win his 79^th career doubles match, moving past former Gator Mark Merklein (78 doubles wins 1991-94) into sole possession of second place on UF's all-time list. Levant and O'Neal remained unbeaten at 5-0 in dual play. Juniors Jeff Morrison and Nathan Overholser won for the sixth consecutive time at number one and junior Marcos Asse and senior Dylan Mann captured their second straight victory in dual play at number three.
 
Mann extended the Gator lead to 2-0 with a dominating 6-1, 6-1 victory over Marcel Mizerski at number five, his third straight win. Morrison, who is ranked seventh in the WingspanBank.com Collegiate Rankings, followed with the 99^th singles win of his career, a 6-0, 6-1 win over 50^th-ranked Georges Matijasevic at number one. The win was also Morrison's sixth straight and 15^th overall in dual play. O'Neal, who is rated 12^th, gained his fourth clinching win this season with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Stephen Huss, who is ranked tied for 100^th, at number two. The victory was O'Neal's 10^th consecutive in singles and team-leading 27^th of the season. Levant added a 6-0, 6-4 win over Estevam Strecker at number four singles and Overholser rallied for an upset win (3-6, 6-4, 6-1) over 98^th-ranked Mark Kovacs at number three, joining Morrison and O'Neal at 5-0 in SEC play. Senior Trey Adcock closed out the night with a three-set win at number six singles.
 
Florida will host 34^th-ranked Kentucky this Sunday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. at Ring Tennis Complex.
 
No. 2 FLORIDA (14-2, 5-0)            7
No. 24 Auburn (9-4, 1-3)                 0
Friday, March 24, 2000
Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex
 
DOUBLES
No. 1 – Jeff Morrison-Nathan Overholser (UF) d. Stephen Huss-Georges Matijasevic (AU) 8-6
No. 2 –Justin O'Neal- Olivier Levant (UF) d. Marcel Mizerski-Raitis Tukans (AU) 8-2
No. 3 – Marcos Asse-Dylan Mann (UF) d. Mark Kovacs-Estevam Strecker (AU) 8-6
 
SINGLES
No. 1 – Jeff Morrison (UF) d. Georges Matijasevic (AU) 6-0, 6-1
No. 2 – Justin O'Neal (UF) d. Stephen Huss (AU) 6-2, 6-2
No. 3 – Nathan Overholser (UF) d. Mark Kovacs (AU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
No. 4 – Olivier Levant (UF) d. Estevam Strecker (AU) 6-0, 6-4
No. 5 – Dylan Mann (UF) d. Marcel Mizerski (AU) 6-1, 6-1
No. 6 – Trey Adcock (UF) d. Andre Boz (AU) 6-2, 6-7 (6), 7-5