No. 36 Stanford Cardinal (3-2, 0-0 Pac-12)
vs.
UNLV Rebels (7-3, 1-0 MWC) • Friday, Feb. 23 • 11 a.m. PT
Florida Gators (3-4, 0-0 SEC) • Saturday, Feb. 24 • 12 p.m. PT
Taube Family Tennis Stadium • Stanford, Calif.
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STANFORD, Calif. - After playing four of its first five matches away from The Farm, Stanford prepares to open a nine-match homestand.
The timing could not be better.
Searching for some confidence, No. 36 Stanford (3-2) opens the stretch on Friday against UNLV (7-3) at 11 a.m., representing the first half of a doubleheader with the men hosting UC Davis at 2 p.m.
On Saturday at noon, Stanford hosts Florida in the latest chapter of the sport's best rivalry, which started to gain momentum eight years ago when the Cardinal defeated the Gators to capture the 2010 NCAA title. Since 2010, the powerhouses have hooked up 12 times overall, with the Cardinal winning seven. How dominant have these two programs been? Six of the last eight NCAA championships have been won by either Stanford or Florida.
But this year's meeting features both programs navigating through unfamiliar territory. Stanford dropped 30 spots in this week's rankings, although such drastic swings are common early in the season with the weighted computer metrics. The Cardinal has struggled – by its standards, of course – early on, adjusting to a new lineup with junior All-American Melissa Lord unavailable due to a shoulder injury and everyone moving up a spot.
It's been even worse for Florida (3-4), which has fallen out of the rankings completely, a noticeable decline after opening the season in the top spot following last year's NCAA title. The Gators, who have played a challenging schedule, are breaking in three freshmen to their lineup and the adjustment period has been difficult.
That being said, rest assured that neither program is in panic mode. Both Stanford and Florida will likely be top-20 fixtures by the time the postseason begins in May, placing added importance on Saturday's dual.
Michaela Gordon (12-3 overall, 3-2 duals) is ranked No. 19 in the country while Emily Arbuthnott (12-6 overall, 2-1 duals) checks in at No. 31. Janice Shin (13-2 overall, 4-1 duals) leads the Cardinal in wins and has stabilized the bottom of the lineup.
In doubles, Arbuthnott and Gordon (9-2 overall, 1-1 duals) hold down the nation's No. 1 ranking. The duo captured the Oracle ITA National Fall Championships doubles title back in November.