Florida eliminates UNO from NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The New Orleans Privateers (16-7) did all they could and battled to the end in a 4-0 loss to the #2 Florida Gators (24-2) on Friday evening in the first round of the NCAA Championships, ending the Privateers’ season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Florida swept the board in doubles with 6-2 victories at all flights. Sam Riffice and Ben Shelton picked up an early break while Nate Bonnetto and Duarte Vale clinched the first point. Mere seconds later, Andy Andrade and Mattias Siimar also finished their match at flight two.

In singles, Espen Lagarde finished the set strong with a couple of service breaks after an even start. Lagarde took the first set off the 117th ranked singles player in the nation in Andrade by a 6-2 score.

However, the Gators, who have five nationally ranked singles players won straight set matches at flight two, three and six. Only four games were lost by Riffice, Duarte and Josh Goodger in their singles victories.

Akos Kotorman also put up a battle in the opening set for the Privateers. Kotorman and Siimar dueled through the first nine games with neither giving an inch. It was Siimar who broke late to take the first set 6-4. The match was clinched shortly after that point.

FROM COACH KANGA
“We played a very good Florida team and we fought until the end. It won’t surprise me if Florida repeats as national champions. I was very proud of how this team carried themselves. We had a few opportunities but couldn’t take advantage.”

“After his doubles match, Espen was a little down and I told him to just play his game and have fun. The way he played the first set, he did a great job.”

“Our goal is to elevate our schedule and we know we can play with some of these top teams. They recognize they can play with some of the best in the country. I think this is one of the best experiences for this team in their young lives and I’m very proud of them.”

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersTN on Twitter, @PrivateersTN on Instagram, like Privateers Tennis on Facebook and subscribe to the UNOPrivateers YouTube channel.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The New Orleans Privateers (16-7) did all they could and battled to the end in a 4-0 loss to the #2 Florida Gators (24-2) on Friday evening in the first round of the NCAA Championships, ending the Privateers’ season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Florida swept the board in doubles with 6-2 victories at all flights. Sam Riffice and Ben Shelton picked up an early break while Nate Bonnetto and Duarte Vale clinched the first point. Mere seconds later, Andy Andrade and Mattias Siimar also finished their match at flight two.

In singles, Espen Lagarde finished the set strong with a couple of service breaks after an even start. Lagarde took the first set off the 117th ranked singles player in the nation in Andrade by a 6-2 score.

However, the Gators, who have five nationally ranked singles players won straight set matches at flight two, three and six. Only four games were lost by Riffice, Duarte and Josh Goodger in their singles victories.

Akos Kotorman also put up a battle in the opening set for the Privateers. Kotorman and Siimar dueled through the first nine games with neither giving an inch. It was Siimar who broke late to take the first set 6-4. The match was clinched shortly after that point.

FROM COACH KANGA
“We played a very good Florida team and we fought until the end. It won’t surprise me if Florida repeats as national champions. I was very proud of how this team carried themselves. We had a few opportunities but couldn’t take advantage.”

“After his doubles match, Espen was a little down and I told him to just play his game and have fun. The way he played the first set, he did a great job.”

“Our goal is to elevate our schedule and we know we can play with some of these top teams. They recognize they can play with some of the best in the country. I think this is one of the best experiences for this team in their young lives and I’m very proud of them.”

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersTN on Twitter, @PrivateersTN on Instagram, like Privateers Tennis on Facebook and subscribe to the UNOPrivateers YouTube channel.