University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, March 29
Knoxville, TN
6 PM
University of Tennessee
vs
Auburn
MEN’S TENNIS CENTRAL: Auburn/#20 Alabama/Mercer
March 27, 2019 | Men's Tennis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The No. 15 Tennessee men's tennis team returns to Knoxville this weekend with three matches, beginning on Friday against Auburn at 6 p.m. The Vols then return to Barksdale Stadium on Sunday with a doubleheader against 20th-ranked Alabama at 1 p.m., followed by a match against Mercer at 4:30 p.m.
After this weekend of matches, UT (12-6, 3-4 SEC) only has two more home competitions this season, both taking place on Friday, April 5, with a doubleheader matchup against Arkansas and Tennessee Tech.
Tennessee is coming off an SEC road trip, where the Big Orange fell to No. 8 Mississippi State, 4-3, but bounced back to defeat No. 33 Ole Miss, 4-2.
WALTON CONTINUES TO ROLL: After having his nine match win streak snapped, Walton has bounced back with three wins over ranked opponents and could have had four, but the match went unfinished. Walton is now 18-4 overall this season with a 13-2 record in dual matches. His conference record stands at 5-1.
RANKINGS: The most current ITA rankings were announced on Tuesday and the Vols ranked No. 15.
Updated rankings in singles and doubles aren't released again until April 2, but UT's Timo Stodder sits at 66th, while Adam Walton is 87th in singles. On the doubles side, Stodder and Preston Touliatos are 31st.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS: Auburn is seeking its first win in conference play, sitting at 0-7 in the SEC on the year. Overall, the Tigers are 12-13 and are coming off a 4-1 loss to No. 20 Alabama on March 22.
SCOUTING THE TIDE: Despite having a winning overall record at 13-6, Alabama is currently 3-4 in SEC play. The Tide will be on the road prior to coming to Knoxville, as they take on No. 22 Georgia in Athens.
Alabama's Mazen Osama is the lone singles player ranked 39th in ITA's top-125 singles poll. On the doubles side, Osama/Patrick Kaukovalta sit at No. 15 in the rankings.
SCOUTING THE BEARS: Mercer is 9-9 overall and 2-1 in conference play. They are currently on a two match winning streak, defeating Chattanooga and The Citadel, both on the road.
Oliver Stuart is the only ranked player for the Bears, sitting at 114th overall.
SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee is 40-17 against Auburn all-time and defeated the Tigers last season, 6-1. Against Alabama, UT leads 44-15 in program history and defeated the Tide 5-2 a year ago in the regular season before beating them 4-3 in the SEC Tournament.
Tennessee's history against Mercer dates back to 1964 and the Vols lead 3-0 all-time. The last meeting was in 2016, when the Big Orange won 7-0.
UP NEXT: The Vols close out home competition on April 5 with matches against Arkansas and Tennessee Tech. Tennessee then goes on the road against Vanderbilt on April 12 and Kentucky on April 14 to close out SEC play.
After this weekend of matches, UT (12-6, 3-4 SEC) only has two more home competitions this season, both taking place on Friday, April 5, with a doubleheader matchup against Arkansas and Tennessee Tech.
Tennessee is coming off an SEC road trip, where the Big Orange fell to No. 8 Mississippi State, 4-3, but bounced back to defeat No. 33 Ole Miss, 4-2.
WALTON CONTINUES TO ROLL: After having his nine match win streak snapped, Walton has bounced back with three wins over ranked opponents and could have had four, but the match went unfinished. Walton is now 18-4 overall this season with a 13-2 record in dual matches. His conference record stands at 5-1.
RANKINGS: The most current ITA rankings were announced on Tuesday and the Vols ranked No. 15.
Updated rankings in singles and doubles aren't released again until April 2, but UT's Timo Stodder sits at 66th, while Adam Walton is 87th in singles. On the doubles side, Stodder and Preston Touliatos are 31st.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS: Auburn is seeking its first win in conference play, sitting at 0-7 in the SEC on the year. Overall, the Tigers are 12-13 and are coming off a 4-1 loss to No. 20 Alabama on March 22.
SCOUTING THE TIDE: Despite having a winning overall record at 13-6, Alabama is currently 3-4 in SEC play. The Tide will be on the road prior to coming to Knoxville, as they take on No. 22 Georgia in Athens.
Alabama's Mazen Osama is the lone singles player ranked 39th in ITA's top-125 singles poll. On the doubles side, Osama/Patrick Kaukovalta sit at No. 15 in the rankings.
SCOUTING THE BEARS: Mercer is 9-9 overall and 2-1 in conference play. They are currently on a two match winning streak, defeating Chattanooga and The Citadel, both on the road.
Oliver Stuart is the only ranked player for the Bears, sitting at 114th overall.
SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee is 40-17 against Auburn all-time and defeated the Tigers last season, 6-1. Against Alabama, UT leads 44-15 in program history and defeated the Tide 5-2 a year ago in the regular season before beating them 4-3 in the SEC Tournament.
Tennessee's history against Mercer dates back to 1964 and the Vols lead 3-0 all-time. The last meeting was in 2016, when the Big Orange won 7-0.
UP NEXT: The Vols close out home competition on April 5 with matches against Arkansas and Tennessee Tech. Tennessee then goes on the road against Vanderbilt on April 12 and Kentucky on April 14 to close out SEC play.
Players Mentioned
Everything Orange S2 | Shunsuke Mitsui (Men's Tennis)
Thursday, May 08
MTN | Johannus Monday Tennessee Tribute
Friday, June 21
MTN | Chris Woodruff Media Availability (5.14.24)
Tuesday, May 14
Everything Orange | Johannus Monday (Men's Tennis)
Thursday, May 02
