The Emory University men's tennis team begins the spring portion of its schedule this weekend when it hosts two indoor matches. On Friday (Feb. 14) the Eagles welcome Point University to the Woodruff PE Center Indoor Courts for a 2:00 pm match before squaring off against defending NAIA national champion Georgia Gwinnett on Saturday starting at 1:00 pm.
The Eagles are ranked No. 1 in Division III in the Jan. 16 Oracle/ITA Poll. Following the fall season, Emory had two singles players ranked among D-III's Top 40 – sophomore Andrew Esses (#10) and classmate Antonio Mora (#13). The doubles team of Mora and junior Will Wanner were slotted in the No. 4 spot nationally.
Point University stands 2-1 through three matches. The Skyhawks lost to Alabama State, 5-2, before defeating Tuskegee, 6-1, on Feb. 3 and are coming off a 4-3 decision over The Citadel on Feb. 7. The doubles team of Joe Klokkow and Patrick Tobacco are ranked 10th among all NAIA programs. Point is led by sixth-year head coach Chad Simpson.
The No. 1-ranked NAIA program, Georgia Gwinnett has won its last 112 consecutive matches, the nation's longest active intercollegiate winning streak. The Grizzlies, coached by Chase Hodges, opened their spring on Feb. 4 with a 7-0 victory over NCAA D-II member Lander (SC), and have defeated Valdosta State (4-1) and West Florida (4-0).
Emory's matches on Friday and Saturday will lead into next weekend's (Feb. 21-23) ITA National Indoor Championships in St. Peter, Minnesota.