For the second time in three years, Florida faced Ohio State in the NCAA Round of 16.
And for the second time in three years, the Gators fell to the Buckeyes — this time in a 4-3 heartbreaker on Friday.
The match came down to the last play. OSU’s Kevin Metka prevailed in the tiebreak 7-6 (8) over UF senior Mike Alford on Court 6.
"Ohio State played great. They battled until the end and they deserved it. We fought as hard as we possibly could” said head coach Bryan Shelton.
The Gators (17-10) got off to a slow start, quickly falling in doubles competition. Maxx Lipman and Elliott Orkin lost to Buckeyes duo Herkko Pollanen and Metka 8-4 to give Ohio State a one-match advantage in the fight for the doubles point.
Soon after, No. 20 Florent Diep and sophomore Gordon Watson fell to No. 11 Peter Kobelt and Ralf Steinbach (OSU) 8-3, giving Ohio State (33-3) the doubles point and a 1-0 lead heading into singles play.
On the singles court, Florida’s Lipman took the first point in a tough win over No. 101 Ralf Steinbach (OSU) 6-4, 7-6(5). Minutes later, Hunter Callahan (OSU) defeated Gators freshman Orkin, 6-2, 7-5 to give the Buckeyes a 2-1 lead.
Diego Hidalgo didn’t waste any time with opponent Chris Diaz (OSU). The UF sophomore beat Diaz in a quick 6-2, 6-2 decision to even the match at 2.
Watson kept the team’s newfound momentum going with a win over No. 109 Herkko Pollanen (OSU), 7-5, 6-2. At this point in the match, the Gators led the Buckeyes 3-2.
After Florida picked up the two straight matches, Ohio State’s Peter Kobelt defeated Diep 6-4, 7-6(3) to even the match at 3, leaving all eyes on Court 6 where Metka (OSU) and Alford were facing off. The winner of the match would also clinch the match for his team.
Metka (OSU) took the first set 6-3, but Alford wasn’t going down without a fight. Alford picked up the second set 7-5. The match then went into a tiebreak where the first player to 7 would win the match. Metka (OSU) jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Alford in the final set.
Alford fought back, but it wasn’t enough. Metka (OSU) defeated Alford 7-6 (8), giving Ohio State the victory 4-3 and ending Florida’s run at a national title.
“I'm proud of our guys,” Shelton said. “It was a heck of a season and a great match tonight. We were one point short but I'm glad Mike Alford was the guy out there at the end of the day. He's clinched so many big matches for us but it just wasn't to be tonight. We gave it a hell of a fight."
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Mike Alford returns a ball during Florida’s 4-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22 at the Ring Tennis Complex.
