State Netmen Set To Host #13 Florida On Sunday
MSU enters Sunday's matchup with a 3-4 mark this season. The Bulldogs are coming off a heartbreaking 4-3 loss Friday against South Carolina to open Southeastern Conference play. Junior Ivan Bjelica, ranked 38th nationally, won his third straight match on Friday and improved his season's record to 16-9. Also victorious on Friday was Philippe Frayssinoux and Ryan Farlow. Frayssinoux moved to 16-8 on the season while Farlow upped his dual match record to 4-1.
Led by former Mississippi State head coach Andy Jackson, the Gators enter Sunday's match with a 4-3 record this season. Jackson, who spent 13 seasons at the helm of the MSU men's program, is in his sixth season with Florida and has a record at UF of 106-37. Florida is coming off a 5-2 loss to #6 Mississippi on Friday in Oxford. UF is led by junior Greg Ouellette and freshman Jesse Levine. Ouellete is 15-6 this season and is currently ranked 19th while Levine is 5-0 in his young career and is ranked 45th nationally.
Sunday's meeting will be the 40th between the two programs with Florida holding a 25-14 advantage, including a current win streak of five. In Starkville, the Gators hold a 10-6 series lead.