Tennessee Tennis Gears Up for SEC Play: A Look at Kentucky and Vanderbilt
The University of Tennessee men’s tennis team is set to kick off its Southeastern Conference schedule this weekend with challenging road matches against Kentucky and Vanderbilt. The Vols will face the Wildcats on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET in Lexington, followed by a Sunday showdown with the Commodores at 2 p.m. ET in Nashville.
Facing the Wildcats: A History of Competition
Tennessee enters the match against Kentucky with a significant historical advantage, leading the all-time series 69-48. However, the Wildcats have proven to be a formidable opponent, recently bouncing back from an early-season dip in rankings. Despite falling out of the top 25 after losses to Illinois, Kentucky has compiled a 7-3 record before entering SEC play. The Vols secured a 4-3 victory in their last head-to-head matchup on March 9, 2025.
Commodores on the Rise: A Tough Test in Nashville
The Vanderbilt Commodores present another significant challenge. Currently boasting an 8-2 record, Vanderbilt’s only losses have reach against top-ranked opponents Wake Forest and Virginia. Tennessee holds the overall series lead against Vanderbilt at 70-25, but the Vols have won each of the past five seasons in the series, riding a six-match win streak.
Ranked Players to Watch
Both teams feature nationally ranked players. Tennessee’s Alejandro Moreno is currently ranked #58 in singles play, maintaining a 12-3 singles record. Kentucky boasts a strong singles lineup with Eli Stephenson (#16), Jack Loutit (#38), Charlelie Cosnet (#91), and Nicolas Arseneault (#94) all appearing in the latest ITA rankings. Vanderbilt’s rankings were not provided.
Volunteers’ Momentum and Milestones
Alejandro Moreno continues to be a standout performer for the Vols, consistently appearing in the ITA rankings and currently holding a 12-3 singles record. Sophomore Jose Garcia recently achieved his 30th career singles victory, improving his season record to 11-5. Moreno is also nearing a significant milestone, needing just two more singles wins to reach 70 for his career, having already amassed an impressive 35-16 singles record during his time at Tennessee.
Looking Ahead: Homestand on the Horizon
Following the Kentucky and Vanderbilt matches, the Vols will return home for a three-match homestand. They will face Auburn on February 27th, followed by a doubleheader against Oklahoma and Belmont on March 1st.
FAQ
Q: Where can I identify live streams of the matches?
A: Live streams and video can be found on the Kentucky and Vanderbilt athletics websites: Kentucky Schedule and Vanderbilt Schedule.
Q: What is Tennessee’s all-time record against Kentucky?
A: Tennessee leads the series 69-48.
Q: What is Tennessee’s all-time record against Vanderbilt?
A: Tennessee leads the series 70-25.
Q: Who is the highest-ranked singles player for Tennessee?
A: Alejandro Moreno is ranked #58.
Pro Tip: Keep up with the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content by following Tennessee men’s tennis on Twitter and Instagram, and by liking their Facebook page.
Did you know? The Tennessee Volunteers have won each of the past five seasons in their series against Vanderbilt.
Stay tuned for full match recaps and continued coverage of the Tennessee men’s tennis team throughout the SEC season!
