Men?s Tennis Hosts No. 63 Kentucky Friday
3/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -The 23rd ranked Alabama men's tennis team hosts Kentucky Friday, March 21 at 2:00 p.m. before heading to Nashville, Tenn. to take on the 34th ranked Commodores Sunday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m. Friday's match against Kentucky will be held at the UA Varsity Courts.
The Crimson Tide heads into the match 13-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play. The Tide is coming off a two-win performance at the Blue Gray Classic and features two ranked singles players and one ranked doubles tandem following its showing last weekend.
Sophomore Saketh Myneni and junior Mathieu Thibaudeau lead the Tide from nos. one and two in the singles lineup. Myneni is up 10 spots in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) ranking from last week to No. 85 while Thibaudeau made his way back into the polls at No. 88.
The Tide's top doubles tandem of Daniel Buikema and Thibaudeau remains in the ITA rankings. Up 33 spots from the March 4 polls, the duo currently holds a No. 12 national ranking.
Alabama is 21-17-1 all-time against the Wildcats and looks to avenge the 3-4 loss in Lexington, Ky. last season. Kentucky is 6-8 overall and holds a 1-3 record in the SEC. The Wildcats head into the match on a three-match losing streak, all by conference opponents.
The Tide leads the series with Vanderbilt 35-17 and defeated the Commodores 4-3 at home last year. Vanderbilt is 9-4 overall and 1-3 in the SEC as the team suffered losses against LSU and Arkansas. The Commodores head to Auburn to take on the Tigers before facing Alabama on Sunday.
Live statistics will be available for both matches. Admission to all home events is free and prizes will be handed out at the gate before match time.
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