July 13, 2010

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - University of Memphis men's tennis player's Jordan Smith and David Henry have used the summer break to better their tennis skills and it's paying sweeping dividends. Last weekend, Smith and Henry won the doubles competition at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's circuit event in St. Louis, defeating Arkansas' Taj Harrison and Michigan State's Clark Richardson, 9-7.

"Smith and Henry had a great season at No. 1 doubles for us," said Memphis men's tennis coach Paul Goebel. "They've continued to work hard in the summer and it paid off with this victory."

Smith, a Memphis native, also made the semifinals in the singles bracket as the No. 3 seed before falling to Rockhurst's Ben Newell. Entering the singles tournament as the No. 5 seed, Henry, a Chattanooga native, won the consolation bracket in men's singles.

Smith and Henry were the Tiger's No. 1 doubles duo in 2010, compiling a 21-5 record and ascending to an ITA ranking of 82nd in doubles.

"They worked hard last season to become nationally ranked," said Goebel. "This victory should bolster their confidence to move even higher next season."

The duo will head south in two weeks to prepare for an event in Tuscaloosa, Ala.