NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt men’s tennis team is set to open a two-week stretch at home hosting Nashville foe Lipscomb this Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Currey Tennis Center. Last year’s 6-1 win over the Bisons was a historic moment for Commodore Nation as Ian Duvenhage won his 200th match as Vanderbilt’s head coach.
Admission to the match is free of charge and parking is available on floors 9-11 of the 25th Avenue Garage (enter from Highland Avenue).
Vanderbilt’s match with Drake was originally scheduled as part of our home opener on Friday but has been canceled due to inclement weather.
Debriefing
The Commodores return home after their commanding 5-2 season opener win against Big Ten opponent Wisconsin last Saturday. Vanderbilt came out strong in doubles play with victories by the fifth-year senior duo of George Harwell and Max Freeman (6-1), along with Joubert Klopper and Marcus Ferreira who clinched the doubles point (6-4).
Vanderbilt continued the momentum in singles play with Freeman as the first to finish his match at ease at No. 4 singles (6-1, 6-1). No. 34 Harwell clinched the match point in a gutsy victory against Wisconsin’s Jared Pratt where he battled back at the No. 1 singles spot to earn a 7-6(4) win in the first set before a 6-3 second set victory. No. 93 Klopper also notched Vandy point in dominant fashion, while Marcus Ferreira earned the final team point for the Commodores after defeating Lenard Soha in a three-set victory, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.
Scouting the Opponent: Lipscomb (1-2)
Last season’s 6-1 win over Lipscomb proved to be a memorable milestone for the Vanderbilt men’s tennis program as head coach Ian Duvenhage earned his 200th victory as a Commodore. After a 5-2 loss to Nashville rival Belmont last Friday, the Bisons bounced back to sweep Austin Peay, 7-0.
ITA Rankings
- Fifth-year student George Harwell opens the season ranked 34th nationally at singles.
- Joubert Klopper, the junior from Bloemfontein, South Africa, comes in ranked 93rd overall at singles.
What They’re Saying
Head Coach Ian Duvenhage
“We’re disappointed at having our match against Drake postponed and hope we can reschedule the match for later in the season. Our team is just eager to compete and we look forward to a good match against Lipscomb this weekend.”
Next Serve
Vanderbilt returns to the Currey Tennis Center next Sunday for a nonconference doubleheader against Virginia Tech and Citadel. The Commodores start off the morning at 11 a.m. with the Hokies before capping off the afternoon with the Bulldogs at 3 p.m.
