The Gators didn’t go to work on March 17. Coach Roland Thornqvist said they weren’t prepared. They lacked confidence. And they ultimately paid the price, losing their first match of the season to rival Georgia, 4-1.
“If you don’t come with your brown bag lunch and hard hat every day, you’re going to get punished,” Thornqvist said. “And we didn’t on Friday. Georgia ate our lunch.”
However, Florida responded the following Sunday with a 4-0 rout over No. 23 Tennessee. This level of play is something the Gators hope to continue as they move forward using the loss as newfound motivation.
“From here on out, (our focus) is just on getting better and better,” Josie Kuhlman said.
“Honestly, we’re glad we had a loss now and not later in the season.”
The Gators will need this motivation as they go on the road this weekend, facing No. 18 Arkansas today and Missouri on Sunday. As Florida prepared for today’s match, Thornqvist said he anticipates that Arkansas coach Michael Hegarty will have “something up his sleeve” for the Gators. But Thornqvist thinks his team is up to the challenge.
“We’re really ready to play,” he said. “I think you see that, too. We’re hungry to continue to play, to continue to get better and play other teams. We’re excited.”
Contact Spencer Thompson at sthompson@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @spencemthompson.
UF coach Roland Thornqvist looks on during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.
