By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the calendar makes the leap to 2021, the Tennessee Tech tennis team sees its upcoming campaign come into focus with the release of the spring schedule.
A 14-match slate that features four home affairs, five conference clashes and tilts with three different "Power 5" schools helps highlight Tech's three-month expedition toward a potential fifth straight OVC Tournament title. The club's journey begins with a Jan. 16 meeting at the University of Tennessee, the first of back-to-back contests against "Power 5" competition as the squad will head to Louisville on Jan. 31 to conclude the year's first month.
As with all events during the COVID-19 pandemic, all dates and times are subject to change. Teams will play in accordance with local regulations, NCAA medical guidelines and supporting OVC standards.
"I think first and foremost we are excited for the chance to compete again," TTU head coach Kenny Doyle said, on the release of his club's upcoming slate. "It's been a long road for our guys to get to this point after the way last spring ended and then not getting the opportunity to play this past fall, so we are just looking forward to getting out there and playing in meaningful matches again.
"I'm confident in our group this year," coach Doyle continued. "We were in the middle of having a strong 2020 season before the year ended and we return virtually everyone for this year's campaign. I think if we play to our potential we will be right in the mix to take home a fifth straight OVC Tournament title."
After opening the spring with contests at Tennessee and Louisville, the Golden Eagles will play just one time in the month of February with a Feb. 6 matchup at Lipscomb. Tech will continue its string of affairs away from Cookeville with a Mar. 1 meeting at Chattanooga, before back-to-back tilts in Kennesaw, Ga. Tech will connect with Gardner-Webb in a neutral-site showdown on Mar. 6 and will lock up with Kennesaw State on Mar. 7.
TTU's first home match is scheduled for Mar. 11 against Radford, an NCAA Tournament team from 2019.
"We have a tough schedule that will not only prepare us for conference play, but should put us in a good position to have success in the OVC Tournament," assistant coach Eduardo Mena said. "I think this team has the chance to be very strong and compete against the very best. Our guys have a lot of potential and even though we are a young team, I expect the older guys to step up and help us reach all of our goals for this season."
OVC play kicks off with back-to-back road matches for the purple and gold. The Golden Eagles will open their five-match conference slate at Belmont on Mar. 19, before heading to Eastern Illinois on Mar. 21. The OVC home opener is set for Mar. 28 against Jacksonville State.
April will feature four regular season matches, with two non-conference clashes and a pair of OVC battles to help round out the club's regular-season slate. The Golden Eagles will play at Tennessee State on Apr. 3 and will host UAB on Apr. 4. Tech's final road match is at Florida State on Apr. 9, before the Golden Eagles conclude the regular season at home on Apr. 11 against Austin Peay.
The OVC Tournament is currently scheduled for Apr. 24-25.
Admission to all home matches at Tech Tennis Courts is free of charge.
