After a long season of highs and lows, the No. 15 Gators (12-7, 7-3 Southeastern Conference) are winding down and entering their penultimate match of the season against Vanderbilt (13-8, 4-6 SEC) today at 5 p.m.
Freshman Maxx Lipman is likely looking forward to the match more than anyone else because he will get a chance to compete against his older brother Ryan Lipman, who is a senior on Vanderbilt’s team.
Both Lipman brothers have played well this season, with Maxx recently being named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week and Ryan being ranked No. 3 nationally in doubles with Gonzales Austin and No. 60 in singles.
Florida has a few ranked players as well.
At No. 82 is freshman Elliott Orkin, No. 97 senior Spencer Newman, No. 106 sophomore Gordon Watson and No. 120 senior Florent Diep. Orkin and Watson are the only ranked Gators duo at No. 16.
Last season, the Gators defeated the Commodores at home on April 14 in a 4-1 victory. The match was one to remember. Florida won the doubles point outdoors. Minutes later, the singles matches were moved indoors due to rain.
The Gators had no trouble inside, and Mike Alford clinched the match. Florida is 37-8-1 all-time against Vanderbilt.
At that point in the season last year, Florida was ranked No. 17 with a 14-9 overall record and a 7-5 record in the SEC.
“We are looking forward to this weekend,” coach Bryan Shelton said. “Our guys are very aware of what they need to do to be successful. We have to be physically and mentally prepared as every match in this conference is a challenge, especially on the road.”
After today's match against Vanderbilt, Florida will only have one contest remaining in the regular season — a road match against Kentucky (18-7, 8-2 SEC) on Sunday in Lexington, Ky. The Gators defeated the Wildcats last season in a 4-3 upset. Florida is 42-14 all-time against Kentucky.
Follow Britnee McCoy on Twitter @TheReporterGirl
