Men's Tennis Stays Hot in SEC Action; Sweeps Tennessee, 7-0 3/2/03

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Vanderbilt men's tennis team set out with one goal entering this weekend, which was to defeat Southeastern Conference foes Georgia and Tennessee. The only thing is that no one expected the Commodores to defeat the Bulldogs and Volunteers as easy as they were able to. Head coach Ken Flach's squad completed the weekend sweep with a 7-0 victory against No. 26-ranked Tennessee on Sunday afternoon in front of a capacity crowd at the Brownlee O. Currey Tennis Center. It was Vanderbilt's first win against its in-state rival since 1997.

With the win, the Commodores move their record to 9-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC, while the Volunteers fall to 6-4 overall and 0-2 in the conference. Vanderbilt has now won five straight matches and has swept for of its five opponents.

Junior Bobby Reynolds was able to keep two streaks alive while also making history. At the No. 1 position, he defeated No. 69-ranked Mark Dietrich in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Reynolds has now won 17-consecutive matches and remained undefeated in dual matches (8-0). He also became Vanderbilt's all-time career singles leader with 80 wins. Reynolds surpassed 2000 Vanderbilt graduate Andrew Nisker's mark.

Sophomore Matthew Lockin clinched the match for the Commodores, as he defeated Vincent Perna in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2. Falling behind 5-4 late in the first set, Perna was able to break Lockin to knot the score at 5-5; however, the Michigan transfer was able to break right back and take the first set, 7-5. With all the momentum on Lockin's side, he broke Perna in the first game and never looked back.

Juniors Chad Harris and Zach Dailey had two of the more exciting matches of the afternoon at the No. 2 and No. 4 positions, respectively. Harris dropped his serve late in the first set to No. 40-ranked Simon Rea, which led to Harris losing the first set, 6-4. However, Harris was able to c catch on to Rea's style and cruise in the next two sets, 6-1, 6-1. Dailey was possibly in the most intense match of the day, as he took on Clarksville, Tenn. native Wade Orr. In a match-up featuring two solid baseliners, Orr was able to grab the first set, 6-4. Just like Harris' match, Dailey did not get down, as he was able to battle back and take the second, 6-3. With all the momentum on his side, Dailey grabbed an early break of serve and set sail in winning the final set, 6-3.

Sophomore Scott Brown and junior Lewie Smith made short work of their opponents. Brown defeated Mark Henderson in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0, at the No. 5 position. At the No. 6 spot, Smith easily handled Rawl Martin, 6-2, 6-2.

The Commodores got their 11-consecutive doubles point, as they won two of the three matches. Harris and Brown clinched the doubles point by defeating Rea and Henderson, 8-4.

Flach's squad will now enjoy a week off before preparing for No. 62-ranked Georgia State at 3 p.m. Friday, March 14 in Atlanta, Ga. The Commodores will then head directly to Gainesville, Fla. for an SEC showdown with No. 2-ranked Florida.

Singles

Doubles