Jan. 22, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Vanderbilt’s men’s tennis team was tabbed to finish fifth in the SEC Eastern Division in a vote by the league’s head coaches that was announced Thursday by the conference office.
The Commodores received 22 points in the poll, 13 points behind Kentucky, who was picked to finish fourth in the SEC East. Vanderbilt’s preseason selection illustrates the strength of the SEC, where all 12 programs are ranked among the top 56 programs in the ITA preseason poll, including Vanderbilt at No. 27.
Overall, Ole Miss was picked as the overall conference champion with 71 points and seven of the 12 first-place votes. In the Eastern Division, Tennessee was selected as the favorite, garnering 67 points and three first-place votes.
Florida was picked to finish second in the division with 59 points and two first-place votes. Following the Gators were Georgia (53 points) and Kentucky (35 points). South Carolina was picked sixth (16 points).
Vanderbilt returns all but two players from last year’s squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and earned a final ranking of No. 26. Vanderbilt’s No. 27 preseason ranking is its highest since 2005 and the highest under fourth-year Head Coach Ian Duvenhage.
Points for the poll were awarded on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Vanderbilt opens its spring slate on Jan. 31 when it opens play against Auburn at the National Indoors in Boise, Idaho.
2009 Men’s Tennis Coaches Preseason Poll
| Rank | Team | Points |
| Eastern Division | ||
| 1. | Tennessee | 67 |
| 2. | Florida | 59 |
| 3. | Georgia | 53 |
| 4. | Kentucky | 35 |
| 5. | Vanderbilt | 22 |
| 6. | South Carolina | 16 |
| Western Division | ||
| 1. | Ole Miss | 71 |
| 2. | LSU | 54 |
| 3. | Alabama | 44 |
| 4. | Auburn | 43 |
| 5. | Arkansas | 22 |
| 6. | Mississippi State | 18 |
Overall Regular Season Champion: Ole Miss (7 votes); Tennessee (3); Florida (2)