If we play Arkansas, it may be a situation that if we win we host, if they win they host. |
It was a great battle, they just played too well down the stretch. You could see why they are No. 1 in the country. They're a great team. When we got the doubles point by no means did we think we had them. We knew that we were at least in the match. |
It was tough, but with what you find out there with all the teams is they're very even. I think if you played the tournament 10 times, you might have six or seven different winners. |
To play a match of this caliber this early in the season is very beneficial. |
Troy gave us a real battle last year. It's going to be our first match outside. I expect it to be a challenge for us because, one, its going to be our first match outside. Also, it's a very good team, a team that has been playing outside basically all winter long. |
We have a lot of respect for Florida. They are one of the top teams in the country. In fact, they were ranked No. 1 in the country going into the tournament. It really gives the guys a lot of confidence, and it really raises the bar as far as expectations. |
We knew it'd be tough. The whole match can be summed up by what happened at No. 1 singles. We looked like we were in control, then the next thing you know, we're fighting for our life. Our guys fought hard when they had to. |
We played a good match. We had to fight back in doubles. We did a good job of sticking to our game plan and not getting rattled. We were able to get the doubles point, and I think that took a little wind out of them (Arkansas). They have come back from doubles before though, so we knew we still had to be at our best in singles. We were great in getting the first sets on four of the courts. We were competitive at every position, especially at Nos. 1 and 4, and Pablo played his best match of the season. |
You have the elements of the wind and the sun and somehow not having a defined closed area effects it more than anything else. It is different playing in and out. Same thing with football teams, you think someone like Green Bay wants it 10 degrees below zero fighting it in the trenches, but you get that team indoors in perfect conditions, its a different story. |