Gator Country

**hocgators** · 01-27-2013, 08:39 PM

The Gator Men's Tennis Team defeated a game UNC Wilmington team on Sunday in the Gainesville Regional Finals. The win propels the Gators into the National Team Indoor Championships, to be contested in Seattle in Mid February. In addition to the Gators, 6 other SEC teams made the field of sixteen. Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Kentucky. Just another typical year in the SEC!

gatorbogey · 01-27-2013, 09:34 PM

tight match! some ranked players for UNC-W. strong doubles team especially.
were the gators trying some different combinations and lineups during the weekend?

like shelton - he's pretty straightforward and candid in the quotes.

**apkgator** · 01-27-2013, 10:55 PM

Nice job by the bottom of the order, top and doubles had a battle. Going to have to find the right doubles combos for SEC schedule or things will be tough.

**allanhovey** · 01-27-2013, 11:57 PM

Question for anybody that knows ...

There are only 15 regionals, Who is the the sixteenth team?

Also I noted that the women are not in the ITA field. I assume they opted out like last year. (Stanford isn't in the field either)

ssgator80 · 01-28-2013, 06:16 AM

Yes - Billy and Gordon's win gave them some breathing room.

**apkgator** · 01-28-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allanhovey

Question for anybody that knows ...

There are only 15 regionals, Who is the the sixteenth team?

Also I noted that the women are not in the ITA field. I assume they opted out like last year. (Stanford isn't in the field either)

I saw that too , was to lazy to research but maybe the host has an automatic berth?

G2MGA · 01-28-2013, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apkgator

I saw that too , was to lazy to research but maybe the host has an automatic berth?

Exactly right. The men's tournament is hosted by Washington this year; the women's which we are not participating in is again at UVA.

**allanhovey** · 01-28-2013, 01:09 PM

Thanks!

I shoulda been able to figure that out.

**hocgators** · 01-28-2013, 04:12 PM

Host team always gets into the national team indoors without having to qualify in one of the regionals. Thats why there are only 15 instead of 16. Early in the season, with seven available players, trying to get everyone some experience. Sunday's lineup is it right now, but that could change slightly in doubles.

**apkgator** · 01-28-2013, 06:22 PM

Coach....any chance Hidalgo is cleared to play this spring?

**hocgators** · 01-28-2013, 07:44 PM

The NCAA has cracked down big time on all foreign players and their eligibility for immediate playing time. Any problem with their high school years triggers a negative. As it stands now a player must enroll in college no later than a semester after their documented graduation from high school. Many players take some time to go out and play ATP Future tournaments around the world. If and when they decide to enroll in an American college, they are penalized, eligibility wise, if they have graduated and been out of college for more then a semester after high school. So many players must attend a college for one year, and show satisfactory grades and credits, to be eligible for three years. If they have been out of high school for two years, than they would sit a year but only have two years of eligibility left when they are declared eligible.

gatorbogey · 01-28-2013, 10:22 PM

thanks for the explanation. seems reasonable.

**hocgators** · 01-29-2013, 07:29 PM

If any of you who follow tennis are interested, we keep a Facebook page at "Florida Gator Men's Tennis Team". Find it and like it and keep up with our news, pictures and more.