Nik Scholtz returns the ball during a match in Oxford, Miss., Sunday, March 30, 2014. (DM Photo/Alex Edwards)
After spending a couple of weeks in state, the Rebel Netters will hit the road to face Southeastern Conference foes South Carolina on Friday in Columbia, S.C. and No. 15 ranked Florida on Sunday in Gainesville, Fla.
The Rebels (8-10, 3-6 SEC) are coming off an excruciating loss to in-state rival Mississippi State last Sunday 2-4. The Rebels won the doubles point to take the lead 1-0, but could not seal the deal in singles, as Mississippi State won four of the five singles matches. Junior Nik Scholtz had the lead in his match 6-3, 2-6, 5-4, before the Bulldogs clinched the match. Senior Johan Backstrom won the only singles match for the Rebels against Zach White of Mississippi State 6-1, 6-0.
The Gamecocks (11-10, 3-5 SEC) have experienced a roller coaster of a season so far. They went through a five-game losing streak in March to some of the top teams in the country in Texas A&M, Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. After that losing streak, the Gamecocks went on a 4-1 run, beating Alabama, Auburn, The Citadel and Arkansas in the process.
The Gators (11-8, 6-3 SEC) played great early in the season, but lost to the top three teams in the country in Ohio State, USC and UCLA. The Gators have an impressive conference record that includes wins over Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Gators will play Mississippi State in Starkville on Friday before Sunday’s matchup against the Rebels.
