The Headington Family Tennis Center seemed to be buzzing with anticipation as two top 25 teams prepared to clash in Norman, Oklahoma.
Following a tough loss to Texas on March 2, which thwarted their four-game winning streak and 3-0 start to conference play, the Gators (8-6) entered Thursday’s road contest ready to turn things around. Aware that a long evening of energy-filled tennis was to ensue, Florida prepared for what initially looked to be a shootout.
However, Oklahoma (10-3), still reeling from a narrow 4-3 loss to No. 12 Texas A&M, ensured that Florida couldn’t gain any traction early on in the high-intensity SEC matchup. The Sooners subsequently swept the Gators 4-0 in a lopsided evening on nearly every court.
Oklahoma started off strong, as UF sophomores Henry Jefferson and Jeremy Jin couldn’t handle sophomore Kholo Montsi and junior Luis Alvarez in doubles on court two. After a slow start, the Gators didn’t seem to have an answer for the Oklahoma pair and quickly dropped the match 6-1.
Senior JanMagnus Johnson and sophomore Kevin Edengren fell behind early to Oklahoma freshman Alejandro Melero and sophomore Asahi Harazaki on court three and couldn’t recover. Despite chopping a 5-1 deficit to 5-3, the Florida pair couldn’t find the miracle it needed to battle back, falling 6-3 as Oklahoma stormed to a quick doubles point.
Florida’s No. 68 doubles pair of junior Tanapatt Nirundorn and sophomore Adhithya Ganesan kept up with No. 39 freshman Oscar Lacides and junior Bruno Nhavene on court one, but went unfinished while tied 5-5.
Despite a valiant effort from a Gator squad looking to make up ground, the Sooners kept their foot on the gas as the sun set and Norman fell into darkness. UF’s Nirundorn was the Sooners’ first victim in singles, falling to Alvarez in straight sets. The Gator’s 6-2, 6-4 loss on court four doubled Oklahoma’s lead to 2-0.
Florida graduate student Bradley Paliska lost his match in straight sets to Nhavene on court six, 7-6, 6-1. Despite Paliska leading early, Nhavene made a comeback in set one and bested him in a tiebreaker. After taking the first set, the junior swiftly grabbed a set-two victory, padding the Sooners’ lead to 3-0.
Johnson couldn’t figure out how to overcome Montsi, as he dropped his court two match in straight sets. The senior lost a hard-fought set one 7-5. From there, the South African native took control, racing to a 6-2 victory in set two and helping Oklahoma complete the 4-0 sweep of Florida.
No. 90 Jefferson went unfinished on court three against Sooners freshman Orel Kimhi after dropping the first set 7-6 in a tiebreaker.
Edengren dropped set one 7-5 to Oklahoma senior Jordan Hasson but went unfinished in set two, tied 5-5.
Despite No. 95 Ganesan’s efforts, his three-set battle with No. 76 Lacides on court one was cut short 6-3, 4-6, as Oklahoma swept the match.
Florida will look to bounce back on Saturday, as it heads to No. 15 Texas A&M to face the Aggies at 2 p.m.
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.com and follow him on X at @CuranAhern
Curan is the men's tennis beat reporter and a second-year journalism sports & media major. He enjoys spending his free time with pets, at the beach and fishing.
