University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Open Season with Visits from ETSU and Tennessee Wesleyan
January 23, 2009 | Men's Tennis
Jan. 23, 2009
The eighth-ranked Tennessee men's tennis team begins the dual-match season Saturday with a doubleheader against ETSU and Tennessee Wesleyan. The match against 39th-ranked ETSU is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. and the Tennessee Wesleyan match begins at 4 p.m.
"It's exciting to get the season underway," associate head coach Chris Woodruff said. "ETSU is a formidable opponent and will be a good test for us. The match will give us an early indication of where some question marks in our lineup might be."
Saturday is UT's first dual-match of the season but the Vols were busy last weekend at the SEC Coaches' Indoor Championships. John-Patrick Smith won the singles draw and the doubles draw with partner Davey Sandgren. It was the Vols' first titles at the indoors since 2002.
The Big Orange return six lettermen from last season's 23-4 squad, including five members of its singles and doubles lineup.
Last season, UT defeated ETSU 5-2 with Sandgren, Smith and Boris Conkic all winning crucial matches in singles. The Vols have never lost to ETSU in 20 meetings.
Tennessee hasn't tangled with Tennessee Wesleyan since 1966 but decided to face the Bulldogs this season. TWC is coached by former Vol Johnny Thornton.
All matches at the Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center are free to the public. Live scoring can be found at UTsports.com.
