March 17, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis men's tennis team will host a double-header at the the University of Memphis Tennis Courts on Wed., March 18. The first match of the day will begin at 9 a.m., when the U of M will face-off with the Southeastern Oklahoma State State Savage Storm. Southeastern Oklahoma State enters Wednesday's match with a record of 7-7, including a win over Division II 28th-ranked Washburn. The second match of the day will pit the Tigers against the UT Martin Skyhawks at 2 p.m. UT Martin is 7-4 entering the day's dual.

"This will be a good test for our fitness, playing a double-header," said head coach Paul Goebel. "UT Martin is a veteran club with four seniors at the top of the line-up. They are having one of their best seasons they have had in a long time. Southeastern Oklahoma State is one of the best Division II teams in the country. It should be an exciting day of matches."

The U of M comes into the day's matches with a mark of 10-6. The Tigers' 2009 record serves as the program's best start since the 2003-04 season. Wednesday's matches mark the first time the Tigers have played at home since Jan. 30 against Southeastern Louisiana. This will also be the first time that Memphis has played on campus at the University of Memphis Tennis Courts since the end of the 2005 season.

Memphis continues to be led at the top of the line-up by 73rd-ranked singles netter Jorge Vazquez. Vazquez enters Wednesday's play boasting a 10-5 record. The senior has twice been selected as the C-USA Player of the Week this season following key defeats of ranked opponents from Illinois, Rice and Alabama.

The No. 2 spot for the Tigers will most likely be occupied by Vazquez' fellow senior Benedikt Fischer. The native of Dusseldorf, Germany, has produced a 7-10 record during his final season for the Blue and Gray.

Memphis has also gotten production from one of their newcomers, Michael Hayes, during recent matches. The junior from London, England, came up with a big victory against the Mustangs of Cal Poly to help catapult the Tigers to a 5-2 win.

In doubles, the tandem of Hayes and Charlie Ramsay has came away with a key victory defeating their opponent from No. 19 Arizona. At the top of the doubles line-up, Vazquez and Spencer Heflin currently hold a mark of four wins and five losses.

Southeastern Oklahoma State is led by Nikita Ryashchenko at the No. 1 position. The native of St. Petersburg, Russia, has produced a 4-1 record so far this season.

In doubles, the tandem of Alejandro Argumedo and Oriol Vidal Cortes currently carry a mark of 4-7.

UT Martin's singles line-up is guided by the play of Stephan Bruwer. Bruwer is 9-4 in his sophomore season with the Skyhawks.

In doubles, UT Martin is led by the No. 1 duo of Bruwer and Andrey Yespipov. The pair has put up three doubles win so far this season.

Memphis will follow-up their home matches on Wednesday with a trip to the Boise State Invitational in Boise, Idaho on March 27 and 28.