By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A busy early-season stretch to start the 2025 campaign rolls on for the Tennessee Tech tennis team as the Golden Eagles head to Vanderbilt on Thursday, Jan. 16 for the club's third match in five days.
First serve in Nashville is slated for 5 p.m. CT.
A look at Tennessee Tech
Tech (0-2) enters the Music City gathering on the heels of back-to-back losses in back-to-back days to nationally ranked foes to open the season. The Golden Eagles were upended 7-0 at No. 4 Wake Forest on Sunday before dropping a 7-0 decision at No. 13 Tennessee on Monday.
Alex Alvarez managed to seize a set during singles play in Monday's matchup with the Vols, the lone Golden Eagle to take a set during solo action. The 5-foot-11 sophomore out of Barcelona, Spain notched a second-set 6-1 victory against Alan Jesudason in the No. 2 position.
TTU enters the 2025 season having recently been picked to finish third in the Horizon League's South Division. Belmont, the conference tournament runner-up, was picked to win the south, while last year's champion, Cleveland State, is the North Division favorite.
Tech's clash with the Commodores is the third of four contests against "Power 4" competition. Having already squared off with Wake Forest and Tennessee, TTU will also meet at Mississippi State on Feb. 2.
A look at Vanderbilt
The Commodores have yet to begin their 2025 campaign, but will have a match earlier on Thursday before greeting the purple and gold. Vanderbilt is set to host Alabama A&M at noon in the club's official season opener.
Vandy is coming off a 13-13 overall record in 2024, with a 4-8 SEC account. The Commodores did manage to secure an NCAA Tournament berth and were upended 4-1 by Oklahoma State in the opening round.
Inside the series
Thursday's tangle will mark the 24th get-together in the all-time series. Vanderbilt leads the set 19-4, having claimed 19 consecutive contests after Tech took the first four affairs. The Commodores won last year's meeting behind a 7-0 decision.
