March 2, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt men’s tennis team begins the Southeastern Conference season this weekend with a bang, hosting No. 22/14 Georgia on Friday at 4 pm and in-state rival No. 38 Tennessee Sunday at 1.
The No. 30/19 Commodores begins their SEC run with an 8-4 record and itching for their first top 25 victory of the season. On Monday, Vandy fell to the No. 4 North Carolina Tar Heels 6-1 but nearly topped No. 1 Virginia and No.13 Northwestern, by a score of 4-3.
Cameron Klinger and Daniel Valent represent the ‘Dores in the ITA’s most recent poll. Klinger, a sophomore, is ranked 61st in the country, while Valent follows at No. 114.
Scouting the Bulldogs:
No. 22/14 Georgia begins SEC play following a rigorous non-conference schedule. The Bulldogs have fallen in their last five of six matches and carry a 4-5 overall record to West End.
UGA has no ranked singles players, but Jan Zielinski and Robert Loeb sit at No. 44 in the country. Zielinski teams up with Walker Duncan as the 52nd ranked duo.
In their last meeting, the Bulldogs defeated the ‘Dores 5-2. Vandy’s victories came from Klinger and 2016 graduate, Rhys Johnson, on courts two and three. Klinger’s victory over No. 25 Wayne Montgomery is tied for the Commodore’s highest ranked victory, which came in straight sets.
Scouting the Volunteers:
Tennessee boasts an 8-4 record prior to conference play, and travels to Kentucky for its first match of league play. The Vols own a 1-2 road record with the squad’s two road losses coming against Georgia Tech (7-0) and Cornell (4-3).
UT travels one ranked singles player and doubles team. Timo Stodder is ranked 76th in the nation in singles and joins Scott Jones in tandems at No. 25 in the latest ITA doubles poll.
VU has claimed three of the last four competitions against its in-state rival. In their last meeting, the ‘Dores earned their second of three-straight 4-3 victories over SEC opponents. Vandy dropped the doubles point in Knoxville but rebounded in singles to take courts two, three, five and one. Valent came through in a close 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 third set victory for the clinch.
Sunday’s match versus Tennessee is Kid’s Day. Inflatables, face painting and a sign creation station will be set up for fans.