OXFORD, Miss. – The Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center is the place to be starting Friday, as the No. 9 nationally ranked Ole Miss men’s tennis team kicks off its “Spring Break Slam” hosting No. 7 Georgia at 2 p.m.
The Rebels will play five matches in 10 days at the tennis center, four against teams in the current top 20.
Fans will enjoy free pizza between doubles and singles at Friday’s match, and earn double Rebel Rewards points. Fans can also take home a collector poster of sophomore Nik Scholtz.
The Rebels, winners of five in a row, are coming off a successful opening weekend of conference play, with back-to-back 4-3 wins over Alabama and Auburn on the road.
“SEC road games are always so tough, and I was really proud of the guys,” head coach Billy Chadwick said. “We won those matches because we fought as hard as we could from top to bottom. That was the key to our success.”
On Sunday, the Rebels will welcome No. 10 Tennessee for a 1 p.m. match. There will be a hot dog cookout for all fans between doubles and singles.
Georgia comes into Friday’s match 8-3 on the season after a decisive 4-1 victory over No. 8 Tennessee in their SEC opener. The Bulldogs currently have four players ranked in the ITA top 125. Senior Ku Singh is ranked No. 11; sophomore Nathan Pasha is ranked No. 42. Junior Hernus Pieters is ranked No. 72 and Freshman Ben Wagland is ranked No. 95. In doubles, Wagland and Pieters are ranked No. 6.
Tennessee comes into Sunday’s match 12-4 and 0-1 in the SEC, after the loss to Georgia and a sweep against Georgia Tech. The Vols have three players in the ITA top 125. Sophomore Mikelis Libietis is ranked No. 13, sophomore Hunter Reese is No. 33, and sophomore Brandon Fickey is No. 76.
“Tennessee and Georgia are always two of the top teams in the conference, and this year is no exception,” Chadwick said. “We will have to be at our best. I feel like we are getting better with every match. The three tough matches that we had last week are going to help us in our preparation for this tough weekend coming up.”
Chadwick would like to see a big crowd come out this weekend to support the team.
“It is spring break, but anybody that’s here in town, we want to encourage them to come out and see some exciting tennis. These next 10 days could be really big for Ole Miss tennis and our standing in the conference.
Admission to all matches is free.
SPRING BREAK SLAM SCHEDULE
Friday, March 8 – No. 7 Georgia, 2 PM
Free Pizza between doubles and singles
Double Rebel Rewards points
Nik Scholtz Collector poster
Sunday, March 10 – No. 10 Tennessee, 1 PM
Free hot dog cookout between doubles and singles
Thursday, March 14 – Baylor, 1 PM
Ice Cream social between doubles and singles
Friday, March 15 – No. 5 Kentucky, 1 PM
“Popped Collar Day” to honor Head Coach Billy Chadwick
Anyone wearing their collar “popped” will receive free POPcorn and sodaPOP
Fans can participate in POP culture trivia between doubles and singles
Johan Backstrom Collector poster
Sunday, March 17 – No. 19 Vanderbilt, 1 PM
“St. Patty’s Day” Fans receive “Kiss me I’m a Rebel” buttons and green beads
T-shirt toss at the break