No. 13 Florida Set to Take on Troy on Friday at 3 p.m.

The No. 13-ranked University of Florida men's tennis team continues their four-match home stand with Troy on Friday, Jan. 16 at 3 p.m. at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville.

Friday's match marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

The Gators opened the 2015 season last weekend with a 9-3 victory over William & Mary, winning three of four doubles matches and six of eight singles matches. Five members of the Orange & Blue made their collegiate dual match debut, including freshmen Jordan Belga and Chase Perez-Blanco, redshirt freshmen Oliver Landert and Joshua Wardell and senior Richard Brej. No. 43-ranked Wardell and Landert earned their first career dual match doubles victory, while Perez-Blanco, Landert and Belga picked up their first dual match singles wins in the No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 positions, respectively.

No. 34 Maxx Lipman, No. 81 Elliott Orkin and No. 60 Diego Hidalgo led the front end of the Gators' singles line-up against the Tribe.

Shelton's Notes – Head Coach Bryan Shelton

On the team's preparation for Troy following the win over William & Mary…

Ultimately, our goals are just to continue to develop each day. We don't get too worked up about any one match. We're excited about every opportunity, but the real thought process here is take these opportunities and use them to get better. Learn from them. Create win-win situations whereas if you win or you do something well that's great. Build confidence. If you don't do something well, become more resilient and bounce back and get back out there and make an adjustment and do it again. You need a little struggle. So as we go through the season, we know with our schedule we'll struggle some at times, but those are the best opportunities for our team to get better.

On what you hope the team will accomplish against Troy…

I'm really excited. I believe that Gordon Watson's going to make an appearance in singles and he's a big piece of this whole puzzle for us, for our team. I think that over the last couple of years he's been in some big matches for us, he's got a lot of experience. He's one of the most talented players that I've coached in my fifteen-plus years of coaching, so he brings a lot to the table for us. I always said once he realizes just how good he is and starts to fully take advantage of that and make the most of it, he can be one of the most devastating players in college tennis and beyond. So it's going to be fun to see him out there playing tomorrow, competing for the Gators. The guy loves the Gators. So I know he'll be excited to get out there

Around the World:

Troy's roster features 11 student-athletes from eight different countries including Brazil, China, England, Spain, Burundi, Poland, Lebanon and the United States.

Tour of Florida:

After Friday's match at Florida, Troy will continue its three-match tour of the Sunshine State at Florida A&M and at No. 35 Florida State.

Just Getting Warmed Up:

While the Gators warm up on the court, the first 100 fans can warm up with a free cup of hot chocolate.

Season-Opening Success:

UF has started 3-0 or better in each of the past four seasons, including 6-0 starts in 2011 and 2013.

A Tough Test:

The Gators will be tested throughout the 2015 season, as they are slated to face nine top 25 teams, including five of the top 10 teams.

Florida vs. Troy

Friday, Jan. 16 at 3 p.m.

Scott Linder Stadium at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex (Free admission, free parking)

Live Stats: http://www.gatorzone.com/tennis/live/?sport=tennm&live_match=12557