March 26, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis men's tennis team will begin play at the Boise State Invitational on Fri., Feb. 27. The tournament will be hosted at four sites around the Boise area including; Boise State Appleton Tennis Center, Boas Tennis Center, Julia Davis Park and Boise Racquet and Swim Club. The field will include the No. 23 Boise State Broncos, as well as the No. 44 Nebraska Cornhuskers, Idaho State Bengals, Ball State Cardinals, South Alabama Jaguars, Fresno Pacific Sunbirds and the Sacramento State Hornets. Memphis' weekend will begin with a match against Ball State at 10 a.m., on Friday at Julia Davis Park.

The Tigers are 12-6 coming into the tournament. Memphis is led by Jorge Vazquez, the 82nd-ranked player in the nation. Vazquez has produced a mark of Vazquez has produced an 11-5 record in his first season with the University of Memphis this season.

In doubles, the tandem of Jordan Smith and Benedikt Fischer, have won nine matches playing mostly at the No. 2 position this season.

Memphis is coming off of two home victories over Southeast Oklahoma State and UT Martin on March 18.

The tournament field includes four ranked singles players including Memphis' Vazquez. The three other netters are from Boise State. Clancy Shields leads the way for the host Broncos, coming in at the 38th spot in the ITA singles rankings. Shields is currently 11-3 during his junior season with Boise State. The Broncos also boast 78th-ranked Kean Feeder and 80th-ranked James Meredith.

Feeder and Meredith are also ranked 68th in the doubles rankings.

Ball State enters Friday's match with a record of 7-6. The Cardinals are led by Jose Perdomo at the No. 1 position. Perdomo has posted a 7-6 record for Ball State this season. The Cardinals single offensive is also led by the play of Jorge Rodriguez at the No. 2 position. Rodriguez is 5-7 this season.

In doubles, Ball State is led by Perdomo and Rodriguez. The tandem has produced a 8-5 mark this season.

If the Tigers win, they are slated to play the winner of the Boise State and Idaho State match to be played at 10 a.m., at the Boas Tennis Center.