Frank Carleton knew what to expect on Sunday against Wake Forest.
After all, he was a Demon Deacon himself just a short time ago. The junior, who transferred to UF for the fall semester, helped his new team defeat his old one.
The No. 5 Gators (3-0) nearly completed their second clean sweep of the weekend, but instead settled for a 6-1 victory against No. 41 Wake Forest. Carleton’s 6-3, 6-1 win in singles helped the Gators advance to the ITA National Indoor Championship next month.
“I had to really keep my emotions in check,” Carleton said. “I tried not to even talk to the guys too much before the match was finished. I kind of tried to keep to myself and focus on the Gators winning.”
Coach Andy Jackson also recognized the challenge Carleton faced, especially mentally.
“To play the team that you used to play for, psychologically, it’s very hard, very conflicted,” Jackson said. “I thought he handled himself very, very well.”
On Sunday, the Gators swept the doubles matches once again to take the first point. While the No. 4 team of Billy Federhofer and Nassim Slilam had a strong 8-3 victory, Florida’s other two teams faced much more resistance.
The No. 25 team of Bob van Overbeek and Andrew Butz won their match 8-5, with No. 41 Frank Carleton and Spencer Newman winning 8-6.
Every Gator won in singles play except for Slilam, the team’s lone senior. Slilam missed a makeable shot on match point, giving Wake’s Danny Kreyman new life. The Demon Deacons’ junior won the three-set match 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (12-10).
Although the other five Florida players won their respective singles matches, Jackson saw much room for improvement. Jackson said the team needs to work on controlling its emotions heading into a match with No. 2 Virginia this weekend.
“We have to be a little bit better attacking second serves, not overreacting so much in the matches when we make a few mistakes,” Jackson said. “When we get ahead, we’re a little too happy, and when we’re behind, we’re a little bit too upset.”
Van Overbeek, playing against the hard-serving David Hoskins, put on an emotional display in his two-set match. The junior shouted between points, flailing his arms in disgust after the ones he lost. Nevertheless, he defeated Hoskins 7-6 (3), 6-4.
Carleton, Federhofer, Newman and Florent Diep all won their matches in straight sets.
“We are very pleased and excited to get to go to the national team Indoor,” Jackson said. “(It is) something that is very important to our program … so that we are better prepared for the SEC, SEC Tournament, and NCAA.”
