Sept. 11, 2014
Vanderbilt men’s tennis kicks off the 2014-15 season at the home of conference opponent Georgia this weekend, as the Bulldogs host the 47th Southern Intercollegiate Championships. The four-day tournament will showcase 139 players from 26 different schools.
No-ad scoring will be in place for both singles and doubles, and in doubles competition, matches prior to the semifinals will consist of an 8-game pro set (tiebreak at 7-all), with the semifinals and finals doubles matches consisting of two out of three sets (to six) with a match tiebreak in lieu of the third set.
The tournament is divided into three different divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III. There are two doubles divisions as well.
The Commodores have five players competing in the round of 32 in the Division I singles draw including four veterans: senior Suresh Eswaran, senior Jeffrey Offerdhal, junior Kris Yee, and junior Rhys Johnson. Daniel Valent, a freshman, will be making his debut as a Commodore in Division I singles.
Sophomore Ryan Smith will be competing in Division II singles, automatically moving on to the round of 16 thanks to a first round bye. Sophomore Pen Binet automatically qualifies for the round of 16 in Division III with Vanderbilt freshmen Tate Allwardt and Baker Newman playing in the round of 32.
In tandems, the pairing of Newman and Smith will be competing with a bye to the round of 32 in Division I doubles. Binet and Johnson will be competing in Division I as well, starting off in the round of 64.
In Division II doubles, Allwardt and Offerdahl kick things off with an automatic bye to the round of 16. Eswaran and Valent compete Friday in the round of 32.
Tournament play is scheduled to begin Friday at 8 a.m., with Division II singles round of 64 match play at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Division III singes matches will be played at the UGA intramural courts. Finals for all divisions are scheduled to be Monday the 15th.
Austin and Johnson Included in ITA Preseason Rankings
Gonzales Austin and Rhys Johnson claimed spots in the ITA Preseason rankings, which were released on Monday. Both Commodores were honored with positions in singles and as a pair in doubles.
Vandy senior Gonzales Austin comes in at No. 9 in the singles poll, after going 29-10 last season for the `Dores. The singles and doubles All-American from Miami, Florida, beat 16 of 23 ranked opponents as well as boasted a10-5 record in the No. 1 position in the Commodore singles lineup. Adding to his All-America accolades, Austin was named First Team All-SEC (2014, 2013), SEC All-Tournament Team, Ohio Valley Player to Watch and to the 2014 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Rhys Johnson is No. 90 in ITA preseason singles rankings. The junior from Perth, Australia, had wins over the No. 50, 68, 76, 97, and 118th ranked players in the 2013-14 season.
A new doubles team, Austin and Johnson, were recognized as the No. 22 doubles duo in the country. Gonzales concluded the 2013-14 season going 30-7 in doubles and 19-5 against ranked opponents. Playing primarily in the No. 1 position in the lineup, Austin, along side current assistant coach Ryan Lipman, knocked off the then No. 5 ranked team of Nick Chappell and Will Stein. Johnson ended his sophomore season with a 14-18 doubles record, playing primarily in the No. 2 position.
The Men’s tennis team begins its preseason this weekend in Athens, Ga. at the Southern Intercollegiates.
