The Gators found out they can win with a different line up today against FAU.
Florida (4-1) featured a different doubles team on the No. 3 court and moved its No. 4 singles player up to No. 2 and still won 7-0.
Freshman Nassim Slilam and senior Daniel Cash took the No. 3 spot in place of freshmen Bob Van Overbeek and Billy Federhofer. Slilam and Cash won their set 8-0.
After winning the first doubles set with freshman Sekou Bangoura Jr., sophomore Joey Burkhardt started at the No. 2 position for the first time in his career.
Burkhardt started strong at his new position, winning the first set 6-1. He lost the second set 6-2, and fell behind 3-0 to begin the third frame before ultimately winning the set 6-4.
“I started well and had a lot of chances in the second set, but wound up losing,” Burkhardt said. “My confidence was low and my serve went down the drain, but I kept fighting. I’m a competitive person, so I never give up.”
UF coach Andy Jackson was impressed with the sophomore’s performance.
“That won’t be the last time we use Joey at the No. 2 position,” Jackson said.
When asked about what his team will be working on this week, Jackson revealed that the team’s sights are already set on revenge.
“We play Baylor again. We got crushed last time, we don’t want to be crushed again,” Jackson said.
No. 11 Florida lost to No. 6 Baylor 2-5 in their only road match so far this season. Florida and Baylor are among the 16 teams in the ITA Team Indoor Championships in Charlottesville, Va. The four-day tournament begins Friday.
