The Florida men's tennis team will kickoff its dual-match season at home against North Florida on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
This season, the Gators open the season a step higher than they finished.
After exiting the NCAA Tournament in the first round last year, Florida enters the season ranked No. 15. Florida also has five ranked singles players, including senior Stephane Piro, who is ranked No. 28. The Gators also have four ranked doubles pairs.
Freshman Elliott Orkin has made his presence known on both courts, appearing in the singles rankings at No. 53 and the doubles rankings at No. 13 along with sophomore Gordon Watson.
The duo finished 12-3 in the fall.
"Tomorrow, we want to come our here and compete and really get lost in the competition,” coach Bryan Shelton said in a release. “It's not just a sprint; it's a marathon, and we know that.”
Today's match is only the second meeting between Florida and North Florida. The Gators won the earlier contest in 1989.
“We're excited, we're fired up, but we still have to stay composed,” Shelton said. “We still have to play within our limits.”
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Gordon Watson hits a ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against St. John’s on Jan. 6, 2013. The junior won the singles event of the Gainesville ITA Circuits Draw on Monday.
