April 17, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt’s men’s tennis team will conclude its 2009 regular season slate on Saturday when the Commodores host No. 12 Kentucky on Senior Day.
Ranked 55th in the most recent poll, Vanderbilt has shown signs of improvement as the season has progressed. Just last weekend, the Commodores (5-15, 1-9 SEC) came within one point of defeating No. 5 Georgia and No. 4 Tennessee.
Saturday, the Commodores will face a Kentucky squad that is 15-9 overall and 5-5 in the SEC. Last weekend the Wildcats defeated Tennessee, 4-3, before falling to Georgia, 6-1.
Vanderbilt has won two straight over the Wildcats, including a 4-3 triumph a year ago. In last year’s match, Vanderbilt got singles wins from Nick Cromydas, Vijay Paul, Bryant Salcedo and Alex Zotov. Two years ago, Vanderbilt defeated Kentucky, 6-1, in Nashville.
Individually, Kentucky is led by senior Bruno Agostinelli, who has 100 career singles wins and is ranked No. 5 in singles play. Agostinelli also teams with Brad Cox to form the 18th-ranked doubles team.
For Vanderbilt, Salcedo is ranked 98th in singles and Adam Baker and Alex Zotov form the 35th-ranked doubles tandem.
With Saturday being the final home match for senior Nick Cromydas, there will be a brief ceremony that will take place before the match honoring his career. Admission is free to the match.