Florida Gators

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The third-ranked University of Florida men's tennis team (21-3, 10-1 SEC) captured its first SEC title since 1994 with a 7-0 victory over Vanderbilt (10-20, 1-10) Sunday afternoon at the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. Tennis Center.
 
Florida and Tennessee share the 2000 SEC title, with both teams finishing the regular season with identical 10-1 league records. The Gators will be the second seed and receive a first-round bye at this week's SEC Tournament, April 20-23 in Starkville, Miss. by virtue of Tennessee's 4-3 victory over Florida Wednesday.
 
"We came out and looked a little tight in doubles, but we seemed to settle down in singles," said Gator head coach Ian Duvenhage. "I am happy for the guys because they are SEC champions and they deserve it."
 
Florida swept the three doubles matches to take a 1-0 lead. UF's sixth-ranked duo of juniors Jeff Morrison and Nathan Overholser knocked off Vanderbilt's 48^th-ranked Brad Hambrick and Andrew Nisker at number one for their 14^th straight win. Senior Justin O'Neal and sophomore Olivier Levant closed out the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record in SEC play with an 8-6 victory at number two doubles, while junior Marcos Asse and Dylan Mann battled to a 9-7 win at number three to improve to 8-1 in dual play.
 
The Gators also dominated singles play, winning in straight sets in five of the six matches. Ninth-ranked O'Neal moved within one singles victory of tying the Gator all-time record with his 111^th career win, a 6-0, 6-3 win over Peter Blach at number two. Overholser halted a two-match losing streak with a 6-3, 6-4 win at number three and Levant earned his fourth clinching win of the year with a 6-2, 6-2 victory at number four. Mann improved to 9-1 in his last 10 matches with a 6-2, 6-4 victory at number five and freshman Troy Hahn won his second in a row with a 6-1, 6-2 win at number six. Morrison, who is ranked fourth nationally, closed out the sweep with a three-set win over 20^th-ranked Nisker at number one to close the regular season with a 10-1 mark in SEC play.
 
The Gators will next be in action in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament this Friday, April 21 in Starkville, Miss.
 
No. 3 FLORIDA (21-3, 10-1)          7
Vanderbilt (10-20, 1-10)                  0
Sunday, April 16, 2000
Currey Tennis Center, Nashville, Tenn.
 
DOUBLES
No. 1 – Jeff Morrison-Nathan Overholser (UF) d. Brad Hambrick-Andrew Nisker (VU) 8-5
No. 2 – Olivier Levant-Justin O'Neal (UF) d. Bill McGugin-Dan McGugin (VU) 8-6
No. 3 – Marcos Asse-Dylan Mann (UF) d. Anders Oding-Josh Tarkoff (VU) 9-7
 
SINGLES
No. 1 – Jeff Morrison (UF) d. Andrew Nisker (VU) 6-7, 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 – Justin O'Neal (UF) d. Peter Blach (VU) 6-0, 6-3
No. 3 – Nathan Overholser (UF) d. Bill McGugin (VU) 6-3, 6-4
No. 4 – Olivier Levant (UF) d. Dan McGugin (VU) 6-2, 6-2
No. 5 – Dylan Mann (UF) d. Brad Hambrick (VU) 6-2, 6-4
No. 6 – Troy Hahn (UF) d. Anders Oding (VU) 6-1, 6-2