The Florida men’s tennis team is looking to start dual-match play 2-0 for the eighth consecutive season this weekend.
After defeating UCF 6-1 on Monday, the Gators will take on South Alabama on Saturday to open the Florida Regional ITA Kick-Off Weekend.
The event will be held at the Ring Tennis Complex, where South Florida and Pepperdine will also compete in a two-round draw. The tournament’s winner will earn a spot in the ITA National Team Indoor Championship in February.
Florida enters the tournament as the No. 9-ranked program in the country. While USF did receive votes in the preseason top 25, none of the three teams joining the Gators are ranked.
South Alabama finished second in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament last year and is coming off a dominant 6-1 defeat of Xavier (LA) in its spring opener.
On Sunday, the Gators will face either USF or Pepperdine to wrap up the weekend.
The Bulls enter the tournament 0-2, most recently falling to Tulsa 5-2. Pepperdine traveled to No. 6 UCLA last week and was swept 7-0 by the Bruins.
Florida is scheduled to play South Alabama at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Follow Benjamin Brandt on Twitter @bhb1227 and contact him at bbrandt@alligator.org.
Coach Bryan Shelton and the No. 6 Gators men's tennis team are playing for a bid to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship this weekend in Gainesville.
