Jan. 5, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The start of Vanderbilt’s spring tennis season is just a few weeks away, and when the Commodores first take the courts on Jan. 16, they will be well represented in the preseason ITA rankings, which were released on Tuesday.
After finishing the 2009 season ranked 61st, Vanderbilt enters 2010 ranked 55th in the preseason. The Commodores are far from alone when it comes to SEC teams in the preseason rankings. In fact, all 12 teams in the league are ranked, led by Tennessee, who is ranked No. 5.
In addition to being ranked as a team, Vanderbilt has three players ranked in singles and three teams ranked in doubles.
Freshman Ryan Lipman will enter the season ranked No. 29 in singles after compiling a record of 10-3 in the fall. Sophomore Charlie Jones tied Lipman for the most wins on the team in the fall and will begin the season ranked No. 53. Senior Vijay Paul will start the season ranked No. 71.
In doubles, Vanderbilt’s duo of Adam Baker and Charlie Jones begin the season ranked No. 24. The ranking comes on the heels of the duo knocking off the fall’s top-ranked doubles team to win the Crimson Tide Fall Invitational.
Vijay Paul and Ryan Lipman are ranked No. 30. Paul and Bryant Salcedo are also ranked No. 57.
Vanderbilt opens the season Jan. 16 when it hosts Belmont at 9 a.m. and Chattanooga at 2:30 p.m.