In photo: Justin Kirstein returns a shot against Vanderbilt last weekend

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- With the lessons from their opening weekend behind them, the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle tennis team heads to the University of Memphis Friday to face the No. 58 Tigers in a match slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. at The Racquet Club of Memphis. Memphis will be Tech's second ranked opponent in a week.

The Tigers (1-1, 0-1) fell to 35th-ranked Tulsa in their season opener, but bounced back to defeat then 47th-ranked Oklahoma State in a 5-2 decision in their last dual match. The Tigers landed in the ITA Top 75 for the first time since 2006.

The Golden Eagles (0-2) opened the year with a loss at No. 38 Vanderbilt last Saturday, followed by a loss to Middle Tennessee on Sunday.

Playing a team listed in the ITA rankings isn't anything new for coach Kenny Doyle's squad.

"We approach every match the same," Doyle said. "We prepare the best we can, and we give the best effort we can, and we'll see what happens."

Junior Alex Chen will lead Tech into the weekend action, playing in the No. 1 position for the Golden Eagles. Also slated for the lineup are Josh Girling, Justin Kirstein, Vasily Eremeev, Lloyd Harris and James Crawford. Girling and Eremeev will play at the top doubles spot.

Click here to view the latest ITA Top 75 rankings