Jan. 27, 2004

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis men's tennis team will be repeat hosts of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) Southeast Regional, it was announced by the ITA, Tuesday. The ITA also released the second team ranking of the spring, with Memphis falling to No. 70 with a 2-1 mark. The Tigers' lone loss came at No. 54 Tennessee last weekend.

The Tigers, who hosted the 2003 regional at The Racquet Club of Memphis, were awarded the 2004 regional following the success of last year's fall event. Mississippi State's Romain Ambert won the singles crown at the regional, while the Georgia team of Bo Hodge and John Isner won the doubles title.

Memphis has become a college tennis destination for a number of events. The Tigers will host the Conference USA championships this spring, which feature all 12 C-USA teams, starting April 14th, with the championship final slated for April 18th.

The Tigers will open their home season, Feb. 6h against Illinois State. Memphis has never faced the Redbirds in any of Head Coach Phil Chamberlain's previous five seasons. Chamberlain brings an 88-49 record into that match, just 12 shy of his 100th career victory.

Illinois continues to be ranked the No. 1 team in the country, while Baylor, Florida, Vanderbilt and Stanford round out the top 5. UCLA, Mississippi, Duke, Texas A&M and Kentucky round out the country's top 10. TCU is the highest-ranking C-USA school at No. 16, while Tulane is 26th, USF 34th, Louisville 52nd and Memphis 70th. Future C-USA members Rice (22nd), SMU (39th), Tulsa (48th) and UCF (75th) round out the poll.

The next team poll will be released Feb. 10th. The next individual ranking will be Feb. 24th. Memphis senior Lee Taylor Walker (Jackson, Tenn.) is currently the No. 48 ranked player in the country in singles and the 13th ranked player in the region.