Florida Gators

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – The Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Classic saw a Gators finals in the main singles draw on Sunday afternoon, as junior Andy Andrade would come out on top over fellow Gator Josh Goodger to claim the singles title in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. Andrade adds his second singles title of the fall, after notching a singles title at the Bedford Cup on Oct. 13, while the title is his second at the event after winning the singles title in the fall of 2017.
 
Sunday's finals marked the second meeting this fall between No. 31 Andy Andrade and No. 68 Josh Goodger, as the two last met in the third-place matchup of the Red Singles Draw at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships (Sep. 29) in which Goodger came out on top over Andrade, 7-6 (2), 6-3. That wouldn't be the case on Sunday afternoon, as Andrade would return the favor to his fellow teammate in his first finals appearance this time around, being able to notch the win in straight sets over the draw's No. 3 seed.
 
Andrade, the top seed at the Dick Vitale Classic, would show no remorse for his teammate to start the match, as he would bagel Goodger in the first set (6-0) to hold an early advantage in the finals. The first set's result would bring Goodger to life, giving Andrade more of a test in the second set, though, Andrade managed to stay the course in holding off any signs of a comeback to down Goodger, 6-0, 7-5, and claim the singles crown at the Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Classic.
 
 
Andrade's flawless singles performance on the weekend closes the fall with a singles record of 15-4, currently leading the team in singles victories. Goodger's run in the singles draw at the Dick Vitale Classic accounted for four wins, in which he concludes the fall with a 12-5 record.
 
THOUGHTS FROM VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH SCOTT PERELMAN:

• "We would all like to thank Dick Vitale, Lakewood Ranch, the tournament staff and the Ash family for their hospitality and kindness. This tournament is second to none when it comes to taking care of the players and coaches. Our coaching staff is happy and proud of both Andy and Josh."
• "Josh had his best tournament since arriving at Florida. He played well and managed himself in a professional manner. This is the second time Andy has won this event. He had a lot of close matches, but was able to raise his level of play at all the critical moments. He has one of the best drop shots in the country and that shot, if used properly, is very effective on a clay court."
• "This is the last tournament of the fall for all five of these guys and they all competed and played hard. Most of all, they all handled themselves in a manner that makes our program proud. Go Gators!"