University of Tennessee Athletics
He's Back...Walton Returns for Fifth Year on Rocky Top
June 04, 2021 | Men's Tennis
It's officially official. Senior Adam Walton will be returning to Rocky Top for his fifth and final year of collegiate eligibility.
"This was a really easy decision for me," Walton said. "I love it here in Knoxville and I'm excited to be able to use my fifth year of eligibility and achieve big things next year.
Walton will make East Tennessee his home for another year after gaining an extra year of eligibility following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020.
After graduating this past May with his degree in Kinesiology, Walton will begin pursuing a Masters Degree this coming Fall.
Walton closed his 2021 campaign on a high note, winning his final 12 doubles matches with partner Pat Harper on the tandem's way to the NCAA Doubles National Title.
The Home Hill, Australia native also earned a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament team at both No. 1 Singles and No. 1 Doubles after posting a perfect, 8-0 record during the team portion of the championships in Orlando.
"We have put Tennessee back on the national map," Walton continued. "We were very close this year and lost a four-hour battle to a really good Baylor squad in the semis. Being able to have another crack at it next year is a very exciting feeling."
Walton was also named First Team All-SEC for the second consecutive full dual season after doing so in 2019 as a sophomore and garnered All-America status in both doubles and singles, marking the second consecutive full dual season a Vol has earned All-American status in both dubs and singles (Timo Stodder, 2019).
The Vols No. 1 will enter his super-senior year just two singles victories away from 100 and just 21 doubles victories away from the century mark. A successful season in doubles could pen Walton's name in Tennessee's coveted 100/100 club that features just five VFL's.
After a wildly successful 2021 dual season that saw UT claim its first SEC Title and make a trip to the NCAA Semifinals for the first time since 2010, Walton and the Vols will be reloaded with a highly touted 2021 recruiting class and a set of returners that will have the Orange & White vying for a National Title in 2022.
"For us next year, not a lot needs to change," he said. "I want to be able to use my experience to help the new guys coming in so that we have the best chance to compete for that National Championship."
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"This was a really easy decision for me," Walton said. "I love it here in Knoxville and I'm excited to be able to use my fifth year of eligibility and achieve big things next year.
Walton will make East Tennessee his home for another year after gaining an extra year of eligibility following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020.
After graduating this past May with his degree in Kinesiology, Walton will begin pursuing a Masters Degree this coming Fall.
Walton closed his 2021 campaign on a high note, winning his final 12 doubles matches with partner Pat Harper on the tandem's way to the NCAA Doubles National Title.
The Home Hill, Australia native also earned a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament team at both No. 1 Singles and No. 1 Doubles after posting a perfect, 8-0 record during the team portion of the championships in Orlando.
"We have put Tennessee back on the national map," Walton continued. "We were very close this year and lost a four-hour battle to a really good Baylor squad in the semis. Being able to have another crack at it next year is a very exciting feeling."
Walton was also named First Team All-SEC for the second consecutive full dual season after doing so in 2019 as a sophomore and garnered All-America status in both doubles and singles, marking the second consecutive full dual season a Vol has earned All-American status in both dubs and singles (Timo Stodder, 2019).
The Vols No. 1 will enter his super-senior year just two singles victories away from 100 and just 21 doubles victories away from the century mark. A successful season in doubles could pen Walton's name in Tennessee's coveted 100/100 club that features just five VFL's.
After a wildly successful 2021 dual season that saw UT claim its first SEC Title and make a trip to the NCAA Semifinals for the first time since 2010, Walton and the Vols will be reloaded with a highly touted 2021 recruiting class and a set of returners that will have the Orange & White vying for a National Title in 2022.
"For us next year, not a lot needs to change," he said. "I want to be able to use my experience to help the new guys coming in so that we have the best chance to compete for that National Championship."
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Players Mentioned
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