Bama Men's Tennis Hosts Big SEC Match on Sunday
3/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
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The Alabama men's tennis squad enters week two of Southeastern Conference play with a road match against Tennessee (6-4, 0-2 SEC) on Friday before hosting Georgia in the Conference home opener Sunday at 1 p.m. at Alabama's outdoor Varsity Courts.
"We have an outstanding opportunity this week as we take on two of college tennis' perennial powers in Tennessee and Georgia," Alabama head coach Billy Pate said. "Coming off a disappointing loss at Arkansas on Sunday our team is extremely motivated to get back out on the court and be successful."
Sunday's match promises a festive atmosphere as free hot sandwiches and drinks will be available to fans as well as promotional giveaways. Varsity Courts are located directly across the parking lot from Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Admission to the match is free.
Georgia, one of the most prolific tennis programs in the nation, is off to a slow 4-7 start this season, and dropped both matches in the first weekend of SEC play. The Bulldogs are ranked 26th in the latest Omni Hotels College Tennis Rankings. They will take on Auburn in Athens, Ga. on Friday before making the trip to Tuscaloosa.
Alabama (11-1, 1-1 SEC) is ranked 15th in the latest Omni Hotels Intercollegiate Tennis Rankings and enters this weekends play with three singles players and two doubles squads holding ITA rankings.
"Each match in the SEC race is critical and it is important for us to generate the momentum we had after our win at LSU last Friday," Pate said. "It will be nice to return home for the Georgia match and I know we will have a great crowd."
Omni Hotels Intercollegiate Tennis Rankings
1. Illinois
2. Florida
3. UCLA
4. Baylor
5. California
6. Stanford
7. Duke
8. Mississippi
9. Kentucky
10. Washington
11. Texas A&M
12. Minnesota
13. North Carolina
14. South Carolina
15. Alabama
16. Texas
17. Southern California
18. Virginia Commonwealth
19. Auburn
20. Arkansas
21. LSU
22. Ohio State
23. Vanderbilt
24. South Florida
25. Wake Forest
