Feb. 17, 2011

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--The 53rd-ranked Memphis men's tennis team will be back in action in the Bluff City this Saturday, Feb. 19, in a double-header against North Alabama at 10 a.m., and Rhodes College at 3 p.m. Originally slated to be hosted by the U of M, the matches now will be played at Rhodes because of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships/Cellular South Cup at The Racquet Club of Memphis.

"After a week off with no matches, it's going to be interesting to see how our team transitions back into the swing of things," head coach Paul Goebel said.

Since the Tigers' last outing on Feb. 5, when they topped Murray State 7-0 to improve to 4-2 overall, the U of M jumped four spots, to 53rd from 57th, in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association polls released on Monday, Feb. 14. The ascension moves the team closer to the highest ITA ranking in program history, which was 50th back in 2003.

Additionally, freshmen Joe Salisbury of London, England, and David O'Hare of Dublin, Ireland, slipped from their No. 52 doubles ranking after beginning the 2011 season with a 3-3 mark at No. 1 doubles for the Blue and Gray.

The Tigers will look to secure wins this weekend against the Lions and Lynx in their quest to break into the top 50. Under the direction of Goebel, Memphis is 1-0 against North Alabama (0-2), picking up a 5-2 decision in 2010. His squads also are a perfect 5-0 against cross-town foe Rhodes (2-0).

"These matches are going to kick off an outdoor season that we're really excited about," Goebel said.