Tigers open dual-match play with Northwestern

Sunday, January 13

Memphis, Tenn.

12 p.m.

University of Memphis

Northwestern

Photo by: Ben Solomon

Jan 12, 2019 | Men's Tennis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Entering its 70^th spring of competition, the Memphis men's tennis team kicks off its dual-match season with a home contest against the Northwestern Wildcats Sunday afternoon.

First serve from the Racquet Club of Memphis is set for 12 p.m. Free pizza and soft drinks will be available while supplies last. Admission is free to all UofM home tennis matches.

Sunday's competition is the first of three consecutive home matches in a schedule that potentially features six teams ranked or receiving votes in the latest Oracle/ITA Top 25.

"It's why we do what we do. It's exciting to have a team like Northwestern come in and face Big Ten opposition," Associate Head Coach Chris Doerr said. "That's what we're all about. (Head Coach) Paul (Goebel) has done a great job of scheduling some of these big teams. I know every one of these guys can't wait to get out there and play."

Memphis returns five to its 2019 roster, led by senior Chris Patzanovsky. Juniors Jan Pallares, Matt Story, Marshall Sullivan and Turner Voges return valuable experience and seek to expand on a successful 2018 season.

Redshirt freshmen David Stevenson and Jeremy Taylor and true freshmen Oscar Cutting and Patrick Sydow seek to make their debut for the Blue and Gray on Sunday.

After a strong fall slate, the 2019 Tigers seek to build upon one of the most successful dual-match seasons in program history. Last year's squad posted an 18-6 overall record and made their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in seven seasons. The 2018 team also reached its highest ranking in program history at No. 16 in the Oracle/ITA team rankings.

Northwestern, who has also made six NCAA Tournament appearances in the last seven seasons, return all nine players from last year's team and welcome a pair of first-year Wildcats to the squad. Junior Dominik Stary captured his second career Big Ten singles championship title last fall.

Memphis has met Northwestern once previously in program history, a 4-0 setback at Northwestern in the 2017 ITA Kickoff Weekend.

Fans can follow live scoring of Sunday's match at memphis.statbroadcast.com using passcode UMTigers2019.