University of Tennessee Athletics
Volunteers to Host No. 6-Ranked Duke Friday
February 18, 2004 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 18, 2004
Tennessee's men's tennis team faces its biggest test of the season thus far when it plays host to No. 6-ranked Duke Friday at 1 p.m. at the Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center. The contest versus the Blue Devils marks the Vols' first match against a top-10 opponent this season and their final dual match before jumping into the SEC schedule.
"Duke is one of the top teams in the country," UT head coach Michael Fancutt said. "It will be the first time this young team has played against a top-10 team, and we look forward to the challenge."
Duke (5-2, 0-0 ACC) is off to a tremendous start this season under 14th-year head coach Jay Lapidus. All of the Blue Devils' wins have come against teams ranked in the top 50, and both of the their losses this season have come at the hands of top-ranked and defending NCAA champion Illinois, including a quarterfinal loss at the ITA National Indoor Championships.
In the ITA rankings, sophomore Ludovic Walter is listed as the nation's No. 7-ranked singles player, and the doubles team of Walter and Jason Zimmerman is ranked No. 2 in the country. Three-time All-America performer Phillip King is currently unranked due to insufficient data (lack of collegiate activity), but garnered a preseason singles ranking of No. 15.
Tennessee (4-2, 0-0 SEC) is ranked No. 54 in the country and most recently split a home doubleheader to No. 41-ranked William & Mary and ETSU last Saturday. The Vols have not lost the doubles point yet this season.
Vol senior Simon Rea brings a six-match singles winning streak into Friday's contest. Ranked No. 64 in the nation in singles, Rea's streak includes victories over three top-50 opponents.
Admission to Friday's match is free, and live online scoring will be available at www.UTsports.com.
