Friday, May 6
Gainesville, Fla.
5 PM
Florida Gators
4
vs
0
New Orleans
Andrade Tallies Career Overall Win No. 200 in Gators Victory Against New Orleans
Friday, May 6, 2022 | Men's Tennis
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the first meeting between the No. 2 Florida Gators and the New Orleans Privateers, the Gators would prevail with a 4-0 sweep in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday evening at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex. During the contest, the Gators only gave up four games in the three winning singles matches.
Doubles play continued to be a solid factor for the Gators (24-2), who, for the 19th time in a row, won the doubles point as they took all three doubles matches against the Privateers (16-7) by scores of 6-2.
It started at court three when the duo of Nate Bonetto and Duarte Vale made quick work of Matthew Armbruster and Marcel Volz, 6-2, for their fifth-straight win to move to 11-2 at three doubles.
In unconventional fashion, the remaining two courts would finish one second apart for three doubles wins.
The No. 65-ranked tandem of Andy Andrade and Mattias Siimar would clinch their 13th doubles point of the season with a 6-2 victory over Max Heinzel and Luke Joujan at court two. They move to 14-4 at the two spot with 16 doubles wins on the year. With this victory, Andrade also became just the fifth Gator in program history to hit the 200 overall career wins milestone with 133 singles and 67 doubles victories.
Immediately after Andrade and Siimar won their match, the No. 5-pair of Sam Riffice and Ben Shelton defeated Espen Lagarde and Akos Kotorman, 6-2, at court one for their 16th win of the season and fourth-straight victory.
Needing only three singles wins to advance in the NCAA Tournament, the Gators were able to put up decisive scores against all of their opponents.
First off the court was No. 115 Vale, who took on Joujan at three singles. Vale would win in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0, against the Privateer to pick up his 17th singles win this year. Pushing his win streak to seven matches, Vale is now 14-4 at court three.
Similar to doubles, the next two matches for Florida ended a minute apart. No. 28-ranked Riffice took care of his opponent, Heinzel, at court two for a 6-0, 6-1 win. Overall, Riffice is now 20-5 in dual matches and 15-1 at No. 2 singles.
Clinching the match for the second time this season was No. 119 Josh Goodger. Taking on Armbruster at court six, Goodger, just like his teammates, would collect a straight-set win by two 6-1 scores to help Florida advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Goodger has 18 singles wins this season and is 5-2 at the six position.
When Goodger clinched the match, No. 2 Shelton was up on Volz, 6-1, 5-1, while Siimar was leading Kotorman 6-4, 1-0.
Florida moves to 24-2 overall with an 11-0 record at home. The Gators also won their 19th match in a row and totaled their ninth sweep of the season.
QUOTEABLES
Head Coach Bryan Shelton
Opening statement…
"Really proud of our guys today. You know, to do what they've done to get to this point is great. This is the part of the season for us where it's exciting, every single match that we play. To the University of New Orleans, we just want to congratulate them on a great season and congrats to them for winning their conference tournament and getting to this stage. It was a pleasure to play those guys today and I felt like our guys really came out and competed really well from start to finish."
On Andy's 200th win and what he's meant to the program…
"Andy's a special player, a special person, and you know he's brought so much to this program. I talk about it often... Just his competitiveness each day. He has this way of throwing out some friendly banter back-and-forth with the guys on the team. It could just be pre-practice, during the practice or during competition. He's a lively one. I always think that every team should have at least one guy from South America. Andy comes from Ecuador and he brings that Latin flare to the game, to his teammates and to his coaches, and put a lot of smiles on our faces throughout the year. But 200 wins, I mean that's quite a milestone and it just speaks to his consistency. I give him a hard time a lot because sometimes he relies on his talent a little bit and I know he's got so much substance underneath, but at the same time 200 wins doesn't come easy. Not too many guys achieve that, so what he's done here has been simply amazing."
On all three doubles matches winning out and winning 19 doubles point in a row…
"Yeah, that's true you don't see that very often… That we would have three doubles matches almost finish simultaneously because you're supposed to win two out of three to get the doubles point. And, for us to get three, speaks to the rhythm that we're playing at. To be able to finish two matches almost at the exact same moment that was great and we've kind of leaned on our doubles this year. I feel like in years past, it's been something that hasn't been a strength and we've turned that area into a strength this season. I think again our consistency speaks to that. I feel like we've got more than three just really good teams on our team… I feel like we have five, because every day at practice, these guys are beating up on one another when we go out and plays doubles, so it just really prepares us for match days."
Senior Josh Goodger
On his mindset going into the singles matches…
"I think a lot of people can fall under the trap of the, 'We're the No. 2 seed in the first round and we're expected to win,' but I think that in our program, we don't take anything for granted and we always go out every match respecting whoever we're playing against and making sure that we bring our best level, regardless. I feel like we've done that throughout the whole season and we're going to continue to do that no matter who's on the other side. I feel like if we can control ourselves, we're going to be able to have the best opportunity, and today was a great example of that. Everyone was focused on themselves and their teammates and we were able to come out on top. I think if we can continue to have that mindset, we will continue to have success."
On what this win means going into tomorrow…
"Winning of course is great, but it's all about the process, about the long run, and we've been doing that throughout the whole season. We always continue to get better, we always continue to improve, and that's because of the work ethic we have in practice. Every day, we're always bringing it. We're pushing each other and I think that's what helps us stand out in these matches. Moving on tomorrow, I don't feel like it's any different. If we come out with the same mindset, we wake up tomorrow like it's the same day, and we treat the matches exactly the same regardless, I think that we can continue to do that. We can keep momentum going and who knows what the future holds."
UP NEXT: The Gators face 2-seeded Miami in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Ring Tennis Complex. This will be the sixth time in program history these two teams will face in the postseason.
SINGLES RESULTS
1. #2 Ben Shelton (UF) vs. Marcel Volz (UNO), 6-1, 5-1, unfinished
2. #28 Sam Riffice (UF) def. Max Heinzel (UNO), 6-0, 6-1
3. #115 Duarte Vale (UF) def. Luke Joujan (UNO), 6-1, 6-0
4. #117 Andy Andrade (UF) vs. Espen Lagarde (UNO), 2-6, 3-1, unfinished
5. Mattias Siimar (UF) vs. Akos Kotorman (UNO), 6-4, 1-0, unfinished
6. #119 Josh Goodger (UF) def. Matthew Armbruster (UNO), 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 6
DOUBLES RESULTS
1. #5 Sam Riffice/Ben Shelton (UF) def. Akos Kotorman/Espen Lagarde (UNO), 6-2
2. #65 Andy Andrade/Mattias Siimar (UF) def. Max Heinzel/Luke Joujan (UNO), 6-2
3. Nate Bonetto/Duarte Vale (UF) def. Matthew Armbruster/Marcel Volz (UNO), 6-2
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Doubles play continued to be a solid factor for the Gators (24-2), who, for the 19th time in a row, won the doubles point as they took all three doubles matches against the Privateers (16-7) by scores of 6-2.
It started at court three when the duo of Nate Bonetto and Duarte Vale made quick work of Matthew Armbruster and Marcel Volz, 6-2, for their fifth-straight win to move to 11-2 at three doubles.
In unconventional fashion, the remaining two courts would finish one second apart for three doubles wins.
The No. 65-ranked tandem of Andy Andrade and Mattias Siimar would clinch their 13th doubles point of the season with a 6-2 victory over Max Heinzel and Luke Joujan at court two. They move to 14-4 at the two spot with 16 doubles wins on the year. With this victory, Andrade also became just the fifth Gator in program history to hit the 200 overall career wins milestone with 133 singles and 67 doubles victories.
Immediately after Andrade and Siimar won their match, the No. 5-pair of Sam Riffice and Ben Shelton defeated Espen Lagarde and Akos Kotorman, 6-2, at court one for their 16th win of the season and fourth-straight victory.
Needing only three singles wins to advance in the NCAA Tournament, the Gators were able to put up decisive scores against all of their opponents.
First off the court was No. 115 Vale, who took on Joujan at three singles. Vale would win in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0, against the Privateer to pick up his 17th singles win this year. Pushing his win streak to seven matches, Vale is now 14-4 at court three.
Similar to doubles, the next two matches for Florida ended a minute apart. No. 28-ranked Riffice took care of his opponent, Heinzel, at court two for a 6-0, 6-1 win. Overall, Riffice is now 20-5 in dual matches and 15-1 at No. 2 singles.
Clinching the match for the second time this season was No. 119 Josh Goodger. Taking on Armbruster at court six, Goodger, just like his teammates, would collect a straight-set win by two 6-1 scores to help Florida advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Goodger has 18 singles wins this season and is 5-2 at the six position.
When Goodger clinched the match, No. 2 Shelton was up on Volz, 6-1, 5-1, while Siimar was leading Kotorman 6-4, 1-0.
Florida moves to 24-2 overall with an 11-0 record at home. The Gators also won their 19th match in a row and totaled their ninth sweep of the season.
QUOTEABLES
Head Coach Bryan Shelton
Opening statement…
"Really proud of our guys today. You know, to do what they've done to get to this point is great. This is the part of the season for us where it's exciting, every single match that we play. To the University of New Orleans, we just want to congratulate them on a great season and congrats to them for winning their conference tournament and getting to this stage. It was a pleasure to play those guys today and I felt like our guys really came out and competed really well from start to finish."
On Andy's 200th win and what he's meant to the program…
"Andy's a special player, a special person, and you know he's brought so much to this program. I talk about it often... Just his competitiveness each day. He has this way of throwing out some friendly banter back-and-forth with the guys on the team. It could just be pre-practice, during the practice or during competition. He's a lively one. I always think that every team should have at least one guy from South America. Andy comes from Ecuador and he brings that Latin flare to the game, to his teammates and to his coaches, and put a lot of smiles on our faces throughout the year. But 200 wins, I mean that's quite a milestone and it just speaks to his consistency. I give him a hard time a lot because sometimes he relies on his talent a little bit and I know he's got so much substance underneath, but at the same time 200 wins doesn't come easy. Not too many guys achieve that, so what he's done here has been simply amazing."
On all three doubles matches winning out and winning 19 doubles point in a row…
"Yeah, that's true you don't see that very often… That we would have three doubles matches almost finish simultaneously because you're supposed to win two out of three to get the doubles point. And, for us to get three, speaks to the rhythm that we're playing at. To be able to finish two matches almost at the exact same moment that was great and we've kind of leaned on our doubles this year. I feel like in years past, it's been something that hasn't been a strength and we've turned that area into a strength this season. I think again our consistency speaks to that. I feel like we've got more than three just really good teams on our team… I feel like we have five, because every day at practice, these guys are beating up on one another when we go out and plays doubles, so it just really prepares us for match days."
Senior Josh Goodger
On his mindset going into the singles matches…
"I think a lot of people can fall under the trap of the, 'We're the No. 2 seed in the first round and we're expected to win,' but I think that in our program, we don't take anything for granted and we always go out every match respecting whoever we're playing against and making sure that we bring our best level, regardless. I feel like we've done that throughout the whole season and we're going to continue to do that no matter who's on the other side. I feel like if we can control ourselves, we're going to be able to have the best opportunity, and today was a great example of that. Everyone was focused on themselves and their teammates and we were able to come out on top. I think if we can continue to have that mindset, we will continue to have success."
On what this win means going into tomorrow…
"Winning of course is great, but it's all about the process, about the long run, and we've been doing that throughout the whole season. We always continue to get better, we always continue to improve, and that's because of the work ethic we have in practice. Every day, we're always bringing it. We're pushing each other and I think that's what helps us stand out in these matches. Moving on tomorrow, I don't feel like it's any different. If we come out with the same mindset, we wake up tomorrow like it's the same day, and we treat the matches exactly the same regardless, I think that we can continue to do that. We can keep momentum going and who knows what the future holds."
UP NEXT: The Gators face 2-seeded Miami in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Ring Tennis Complex. This will be the sixth time in program history these two teams will face in the postseason.
SINGLES RESULTS
1. #2 Ben Shelton (UF) vs. Marcel Volz (UNO), 6-1, 5-1, unfinished
2. #28 Sam Riffice (UF) def. Max Heinzel (UNO), 6-0, 6-1
3. #115 Duarte Vale (UF) def. Luke Joujan (UNO), 6-1, 6-0
4. #117 Andy Andrade (UF) vs. Espen Lagarde (UNO), 2-6, 3-1, unfinished
5. Mattias Siimar (UF) vs. Akos Kotorman (UNO), 6-4, 1-0, unfinished
6. #119 Josh Goodger (UF) def. Matthew Armbruster (UNO), 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 6
DOUBLES RESULTS
1. #5 Sam Riffice/Ben Shelton (UF) def. Akos Kotorman/Espen Lagarde (UNO), 6-2
2. #65 Andy Andrade/Mattias Siimar (UF) def. Max Heinzel/Luke Joujan (UNO), 6-2
3. Nate Bonetto/Duarte Vale (UF) def. Matthew Armbruster/Marcel Volz (UNO), 6-2
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
FOLLOW THE GATORS
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,2,1
#1 Singles Match
123
Marcel Volz / 0 [UNO]
110
65UF
#2 Singles Match
12
Max Heinzel / 0 [UNO]
01
66
#3 Singles Match
12
Luke Joujan / 0 [UNO]
10
66
#4 Singles Match
123
Espen Lagarde / 0 [UNO]
610
23UF
#5 Singles Match
123
Akos Kotorman / 0 [UNO]
400
61UF
#6 Singles Match
12
Matthew Armbruster / 0 [UNO]
11
66
Order of Finish:
3,2,6
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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