The duo notches their first doubles title of the fall tournament slate.
M25 Houston Final Draws
HOUSTON, Texas – After a long week of tennis and several lengthy weather delays, the Gators walked away from the Texas Tamale Co. Houston Cup victorious on Sunday, as Florida's No. 49 ranked doubles tandem of
Oliver Crawford and
Sam Riffice prevailed in a three-set finale to earn the tournament's doubles title. The Gators have notched doubles titles in their first two tournaments of the fall, as
Duarte Vale and Blaise Bicknell earned the doubles crown at last weekend's Seahawk Fall Invitational (Sept. 13-15).
After cruising through the first three rounds of doubles competition in Houston, Crawford and Riffice would face a solid challenge in former UCLA Bruin Austin Rapp and former Tennessee Vol Preston Touliatos as their doubles foes in Sunday's finals.
The Gators managed to take the early advantage, 7-5, in the first set, though, Rapp and Touliatos would answer decisively in the second set, 6-3. With the title on the line, Crawford and Riffice would buckle down in the third set tiebreaker to earn a 10-3 victory and secure the doubles title in their first tournament together this fall.
Main Draw Doubles Finals
No. 49
Oliver Crawford/
Sam Riffice def. Austin Rapp/Preston Touliatos, 7-5, 3-6, 10-3
THOUGHTS FROM VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH SCOTT PERELMAN:
- "Sam and Oliver made our program proud today. It was a very competitive match and, in the third set tiebreaker, the Gators played championship tennis. We all want to thank Rice University, the tournament sponsors and the ball boys and girls for a wonderful week of hospitality."
- "The weather conditions in Houston this week were tough and there were some long days and short nights, but they did a first class job. Go Gators!"
UP NEXT:
- Next, the Gators prepare to travel to Athens, Ga. to compete in the UGA Ranked +1 tournament on Fri., Sept. 27-29, hosted by the University of Georgia.
