University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Swimmers Face Off Against SEC Rival Georgia
January 21, 2009 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Jan. 21, 2009
The Volunteers swimming and diving rivalry with Georgia dates back more than 40 years to the 1967-68 season. After dominating the Bulldogs for the first 30 years of competition, the fourth-ranked Vols are looking to beat UGA for the first time in seven years.
Tennessee comes off tough losses to Michigan and Indiana, a tri-meet that boasted only one UT win. However, UT is undefeated in the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center. The Big Orange has wins over University of the Cumberlands, Louisville and Virginia at home and dominated the Tennessee Invitational against Kentucky and Virginia Tech. Tennessee has not won in the series since the 2001-2002 season. The Vols' 19 wins over UGA is tied for fourth-most all-time over an opponent and tied for third against Southeastern Conference foes.
After starting the season 1-1 the Bulldogs won three straight before dropping a Jan. 10 meeting with top-ranked Texas. The 4-2 Bulldogs have wins over Georgia Tech, Emory, Auburn and Southern Methodist and their first loss was to Florida Oct. 30. Georgia claims six straight victories against the Vols. UGA won their first dual-meet over UT in the 1998-99 season giving the Bulldogs seven all-time wins against Tennessee. Georgia has won three times in Knoxville but has never competed in the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center.
Swim-rankings.com ranks the Vols in fourth among NCAA Division I schools and has the Bulldogs ranked in eighth.
Saturday marks the last home meet of the 2008-09 season and the Volunteers will honor eight senior swimmers and two senior Timettes. Action will begin at 11 a.m.
