By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A second-consecutive SEC foe to open the season will greet the Tennessee Tech tennis team, as the Golden Eagles will make the quick trip to Nashville for a Sunday meeting with Vanderbilt in the club's second clash of 2024. First serve with the Commodores is set for 11:30 a.m. CT.
A live stream of the contest will be available. Click here to watch. Live stats will also be available. Click here to view.
A look at Tennessee Tech
The Golden Eagles (0-1) had the tall task of taking on a top 10 opponent to open the year, with the purple and gold falling 7-0 at No. 6 Tennessee on Jan. 13. The season-opening defeat saw five of the six singles affairs conclude in straight sets, with only freshman Lucas Bitzer forcing a third set in a No. 5 spot battle with Angel Diaz.
Bitzer was one of four Golden Eagle rookies to make their collegiate dual debut, joining Alex Alvarez, Murilo Burckhardt and Davids Spaks as the quartet to take aim in their first career spring contest.
Sunday's tilt with Vandy will mark the second of a four-match away swing for Tech that will feature three matchups against SEC opponents. After scooting to UAB on Feb. 1, the Golden Eagles will head to Alabama on Feb. 3 to seal the deal on the rigorous road stretch.
TTU jumps into the 2024 campaign ranked preseason tied for second with Tennessee State in the Horizon League's South Division. Belmont was named the south's preseason No. 1, while Cleveland State was chosen as the favorite to claim the five-team North Division.
A look at Vanderbilt
The Commodores (2-0) host Tech in the first of a Sunday doubleheader that will see Vanderbilt host Alabama A&M at 4:30 p.m. A twin bill highlighted Vandy's only other action of the season behind a successful Wednesday double dip that saw the Dores top a pair of in-state opponents thanks to a 6-0 victory over ETSU and a 6-1 win against TSU.
Jeremie Casabon, Juan Lopez and Danil Panarin are the only three Commodores to register perfect 2-0 singles marks over the pair of affairs. Casabon and Panarin are also two of the four Dores to pick up unblemished 2-0 doubles records. Casabon has teamed up with Nathan Cox to collect a 2-0 tandem ledger, while Panarin has joined Joubert Klopper en route to the 2-0 beginning.
Vanderbilt is coming off a 10-18 overall record in 2023, going 3-11 in SEC play. The Commodores knocked off Arkansas 4-1 in the opening round of the SEC Tournament, but were bounced 4-3 by Texas A&M in the tourney's second round.
Inside the series
Sunday's match will mark the 23rd meeting in the all-time series and first get-together since 2011. Vanderbilt leads the set 18-4, having won 18 straight after the purple and gold captured the first four battles.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
