California Dreaming: Gators Return to Pac-12/SEC Challenge

Saturday, January 30

Los Angeles, Ca.

1:00 PM

Florida Gators

University of Southern California

The Gators are headed to the Pac-12/SEC Challenge this weekend at the LA Tennis Center

California Dreaming: Gators Return to Pac-12/SEC Challenge

Friday, January 29, 2016 | Men's Tennis

By: Grace Duggan

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 20 University of Florida men's tennis team is on the west coast this weekend for the third annual Pac-12/SEC Challenge at the Los Angeles Tennis Center on the UCLA campus. Four Top-20 ranked teams-#6 Georgia, #8 USC, #12 UCLA and #20 Florida-will convene in Los Angeles for four matches between conference powerhouses.

After splitting matches at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in Austin last weekend, the Gators are looking to bounce back against two Top-15 teams in the Pac-12 Conference. UF will compete against No. 8 USC on Saturday at 10 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET. The Gators take the late match on Sunday against No. 12 UCLA at 1:00 p.m.PT/4:00 p.m. ET. UF split results in the event last year, falling to USC but grabbing a victory over UCLA.

Doubles play has been stellar for the Orange and Blue with the Gators taking advantage of the doubles point in all four of its matches this season. The No. 3-ranked tandem in the country, Diego Hidalgo and Gordon Watson, grabbed a huge match victory over Texas Tech's No. 2-ranked duo of Felipe Soares and Hugo Dojas, 6-3. Juniors Maxx Lipman and Elliott Orkin, ranked No. 40 in the nation, have a perfect 3-0 record on the season.

Singles action has seen some solid play from the No. 3 and No. 4 spots in the lineup. The two spots are 6-0 on the season. Freshman Alfredo Perez has proven to be a force on the singles court with a perfect 2-0 record, including a straight set win over Texas Tech's No. 33 Alex Sendegeya last Sunday.

Last Serve with the Trojans
In last year's Pac-12/SEC Challenge in Athens, Ga., then-defending National Champions and No. 1-ranked USC defeated the Gators 5-2. Then-juniors Hidalgo and Watson took one singles match a piece to put UF on the board, but the Trojans proved to be too much for the Gators.

Last Serve with the Bruins
The Gators upset then-No.4 UCLA in the final day of the 2015 Pac-12/SEC Challenge. UF grabbed the match lead early by clinching the doubles point and getting singles win again from Hidalgo and Watson. It came down to the No. 5 position between Oliver Landert and UCLA's di Guilio. Landert pulled away in the third set to take the match, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Gators' Ranked Opponents This Weekend
Singles:
20. Wayne Montgomery
28. Austin Smith (Georgia)
31. Diego Hidalgo (UF)
40. Paul Oosterbaan
41. Nick Crystal (USC)
48. Martin Redlicki (UCLA)
49. Elliott Orkin (UF)
62. Chase Perez-Blanco (UF)
69. Logan Smith (USC)
76. Connor Farren (USC)
83. Jake DeVine (USC)
88. Nick Wood (Georgia)
91. Alfredo Perez (UF)
97. McClain Kessler (UF)
98. Logan Staggs (UCLA)
104. Kalman Boyd (USC)
105. Walker Duncan
115. Max de Vroome (USC)

Doubles:
3. Diego Hidalgo/Gordon Watson (UF)
10. Ben Wagland/Austin Smith (Georgia)
40. Maxx Lipman/Elliott Orkin (UF)
45. Wayne Montgomery/Emil Reinberg (Georgia)

Where:
Los Angeles Tennis Center (UCLA Campus)
Los Angeles, Calif.

Schedule of Matches:
Saturday, Jan. 30
1 p.m.: #20 Florida vs. #8 USC
4 p.m. - #6 Georgia vs. #12 UCLA

Sunday, Jan. 31
1 p.m. - #6 Georgia vs. #8 USC
4 p.m. - #20 Florida vs. #12 UCLA
*all times Eastern

Match Notes here
Live Scoring here

Follow the Gators:
FloridaGators.com
Facebook
Twitter