Tennessee Volunteers tennis
Encyclopedia
The Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team represents the University of Tennessee
located in Knoxville, Tennessee
. The Vols compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference
(SEC). The team hosts its indoor home matches in Goodfriend Tennis Center and their outdoor matches in Barksdale Stadium. The Volunteers are currently led by head coach Sam Winterbotham
. Throughout the Vols storied history the team has won nine SEC championships, appeared in twenty-two NCAA championship tournaments, three championship finals, and have produced one singles and one doubles NCAA championships.
, Carson-Newman, Georgia Tech and Chattanooga all of which are within a four hour drive of Knoxville. The Vols first coach was Hugh Faust who was hired in 1932 and finished his inaugural season with a 5-1 record. The team saw moderate success until the hire of Mike De Palmer, Sr. who led the Vols to five straight NCAA Championship appearances
including the team's first NCAA Finals appearance. In 1990 De Palmer led the team to it's most successful run yet and set school records by winning 34 consecutive games, going undefeated through the SEC, achieving a #1 ranking in the polls, and had the highest winning percentage of any Tennessee team with .971. In 2006 the Volunteers hired Sam Winterbotham
who in his short time as head coach led the Vols back into the national spotlight by reaching the team's 3rd NCAA Championship final
. Winterbotham has also helped the team set a school record for most shutouts as well as tying a school record for most consecutive shutouts, and his 2010 team became the first SEC team to shutout all three of it's opponents in the SEC Tournament. During his tenure he has produced 17 All-SEC and 12 All-American tennis players including J.P. Smith who became only the second player to be named All-American in singles and doubles every year of his career, repeating Southern California's
Rick Leach
.
Although the Volunteers men's tennis team has never won an NCAA national team championship, they have been runners-up in 1990, 2001 and 2010. In 1980 Rodney Harmon
and Mel Purcell
won Tennessee's first NCAA doubles championship, while Chris Woodruff
would go on to win the school's first NCAA singles championship in 1993.
*Note: from 1942-1962 season records are incomplete; between 1943-1946 Tennessee did not field a tennis team because of World War II
.
Information Source: Tennessee Volunteers Men's Tennis - History section
The Tennessee Volunteers
overall record is 902-426-3 with a .678 winning percentage.
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
located in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
. The Vols compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC). The team hosts its indoor home matches in Goodfriend Tennis Center and their outdoor matches in Barksdale Stadium. The Volunteers are currently led by head coach Sam Winterbotham
Sam Winterbotham
Sam Winterbotham is a British college tennis coach and former college player. He is the current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team of the University of Tennessee. Winterbotham was previously an assistant coach for the Baylor Bears where he helped guide the team to the 2004...
. Throughout the Vols storied history the team has won nine SEC championships, appeared in twenty-two NCAA championship tournaments, three championship finals, and have produced one singles and one doubles NCAA championships.
Team history
The Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team began in 1927 and endured a five game schedule with mostly close regional teams including VanderbiltVanderbilt Commodores
The Vanderbilt Commodores are the NCAA athletic teams of Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The university fields 16 varsity teams , 14 of which compete in the Southeastern Conference...
, Carson-Newman, Georgia Tech and Chattanooga all of which are within a four hour drive of Knoxville. The Vols first coach was Hugh Faust who was hired in 1932 and finished his inaugural season with a 5-1 record. The team saw moderate success until the hire of Mike De Palmer, Sr. who led the Vols to five straight NCAA Championship appearances
NCAA Men's Tennis Championship
The NCAA Men's Tennis Championships are held to crown a team, individual, and doubles champion in American college tennis. The first intercollegiate championship was held in 1883, 23 years before the founding of the NCAA, with Harvard's Joseph Clark taking the singles title...
including the team's first NCAA Finals appearance. In 1990 De Palmer led the team to it's most successful run yet and set school records by winning 34 consecutive games, going undefeated through the SEC, achieving a #1 ranking in the polls, and had the highest winning percentage of any Tennessee team with .971. In 2006 the Volunteers hired Sam Winterbotham
Sam Winterbotham
Sam Winterbotham is a British college tennis coach and former college player. He is the current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team of the University of Tennessee. Winterbotham was previously an assistant coach for the Baylor Bears where he helped guide the team to the 2004...
who in his short time as head coach led the Vols back into the national spotlight by reaching the team's 3rd NCAA Championship final
NCAA Men's Tennis Championship
The NCAA Men's Tennis Championships are held to crown a team, individual, and doubles champion in American college tennis. The first intercollegiate championship was held in 1883, 23 years before the founding of the NCAA, with Harvard's Joseph Clark taking the singles title...
. Winterbotham has also helped the team set a school record for most shutouts as well as tying a school record for most consecutive shutouts, and his 2010 team became the first SEC team to shutout all three of it's opponents in the SEC Tournament. During his tenure he has produced 17 All-SEC and 12 All-American tennis players including J.P. Smith who became only the second player to be named All-American in singles and doubles every year of his career, repeating Southern California's
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans are the athletic teams representing the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. While the men's teams are nicknamed the Trojans, the women's athletic teams are referred to as either the Trojans or Women of Troy...
Rick Leach
Rick Leach
----Rick Leach is a former professional tennis player and a coach from the United States. A doubles specialist, he won 5 Grand Slam men's doubles titles , and 4 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles . Leach reached the World No...
.
Although the Volunteers men's tennis team has never won an NCAA national team championship, they have been runners-up in 1990, 2001 and 2010. In 1980 Rodney Harmon
Rodney Harmon
Rodney Harmon is a former professional tennis player the ATP.Perhaps Rodney's greatest result came at the 1982 U.S. Open, when he got through to the quarterfinals...
and Mel Purcell
Mel Purcell
Mel Purcell is a former World No. 17 tennis player in the ATP tennis rankings. He is the head coach of the Murray State University men's tennis team...
won Tennessee's first NCAA doubles championship, while Chris Woodruff
Chris Woodruff
Chris Woodruff is an American former professional male tennis player. He hails from Knoxville, Tennessee and was trained at the Knoxville Racquet Club.- College career :...
would go on to win the school's first NCAA singles championship in 1993.
Year-by-year results
*Through June 24, 2011.*Note: from 1942-1962 season records are incomplete; between 1943-1946 Tennessee did not field a tennis team because of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Information Source: Tennessee Volunteers Men's Tennis - History section
The Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the National Collegiate Athletic Association college sports teams at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mike Hamilton is the most recent Men's Athletic Director, but resigned on June 7, 2011, and Joan Cronan is the current Women's...
overall record is 902-426-3 with a .678 winning percentage.
| Season | Head Coach | Overall Record | SEC Record | SEC Finish | SEC Tournament | NCAA Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | - | 2-3 | - | - | - | - |
| 1928 | - | 4-4 | - | - | - | - |
| 1930 | - | 1-2-1 | - | - | - | - |
| 1932 | Hugh D. Faust | 5-1 | - | - | - | - |
| 1933 | Hugh D. Faust | 6-2 | 0-1 | - | - | - |
| 1934 | Hugh D. Faust | 4-5 | 0-4 | - | - | - |
| 1935 | Hugh D. Faust | 6-3 | 0-0 | - | - | - |
| 1936 | Hugh D. Faust | 5-7 | 0-4 | - | - | - |
| 1937 | Hugh D. Faust | 6-5 | 1-3 | - | - | - |
| 1938 | Hugh D. Faust | 4-6-1 | 1-3 | - | - | - |
| 1939 | Hugh D. Faust | 6-4 | 0-3 | - | - | - |
| 1940 | Hugh D. Faust | 7-4 | 0-3 | - | - | - |
| 1941 | Hugh D. Faust | 8-6 | 0-2 | - | - | - |
| 1963 | Tommy Bartlett | 10-5 | 2-4 | 10th | - | - |
| 1964 | Tommy Bartlett | 13-1 | 3-0 | 8th | - | - |
| 1965 | Tommy Bartlett | 15-3 | 7-1 | 4th | - | - |
| 1966 | Tommy Bartlett | 16-2 | 7-0 | SEC Champions | - | - |
| 1967 | Earl Baumgardner | 13-4 | 5-2 | 2nd | - | - |
| 1968 | Louis Royal | 11-8 | 4-3 | 4th | - | - |
| 1969 | Louis Royal | 6-8 | 3-2 | 5th | - | - |
| 1970 | Louis Royal | 14-7 | 4-2 | SEC Champions | - | - |
| 1971 | Louis Royal | 14-7-1 | 5-4 | 2nd | - | - |
| 1972 | Louis Royal | 27-2 | 5-1 | t-2nd | - | - |
| 1973 | Louis Royal | 10-9 | 3-2 | 5th | - | - |
| 1974 | Louis Royal | 17-6 | 6-2 | 2nd | - | - |
| 1975 | Louis Royal | 14-12 | 5-4 | 3rd | - | - |
| 1976 | Louis Royal | 6-10 | 3-5 | 7th | - | - |
| 1977 | John Newman | 9-12 | 3-6 | 6th | - | - |
| 1978 | John Newman | 18-7 | 6-3 | 2nd | - | - |
| 1979 | John Newman | 13-6 | 4-1 | 2nd | - | Round of 16 |
| 1980 | John Newman | 14-6 | 6-0 | SEC Champions | - | Round of 16 |
| 1981 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 14-6 | 6-2 | 4th | - | - |
| 1982 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 21-9 | 10-1 | 2nd | - | - |
| 1983 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 20-4 | 12-7 | 3rd | - | - |
| 1984 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 23-8 | 6-2 | 4th | - | - |
| 1985 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 27-11 | 7-2 | 3rd | - | - |
| 1986 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 24-10 | 3-6 | SEC Champions | - | - |
| 1987 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 24-6 | 7-2 | 2nd | - | Semifinals |
| 1988 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 14-11 | 6-3 | t-4th | - | Quarterfinals |
| 1989 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 20-8 | 6-3 | 10th | - | Round of 16 |
| 1990 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 34-1 | 9-0 | SEC Champions | Champions | Finals |
| 1991 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 21-11 | 7-4 | t-3rd | First Round | Round of 16 |
| 1992 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 15-13 | 4-9 | t-8th | Quarterfinals | - |
| 1993 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 27-11 | 7-7 | 6th | Semifinals | Round of 16 |
| 1994 | Mike De Palmer Sr. | 15-10 | 6-7 | t-6th | Quarterfinals | - |
| 1995 | John Kreis | 17-9 | 7-6 | 6th | Semifinals | - |
| 1996 | John Kreis | 11-11 | 5-8 | 8th | Quarterfinals | Round of 64 |
| 1997 | John Kreis | 5-17 | 0-12 | 12th | First Round | Round of 64 |
| 1998 | Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt , is a former professional tennis player and coach from Australia. From 1998-2004 he coached the University of Tennessee Volunteers tennis team.... |
14-7 | 6-5 | 5th | Quarterfinals | Round of 64 |
| 1999 | Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt , is a former professional tennis player and coach from Australia. From 1998-2004 he coached the University of Tennessee Volunteers tennis team.... |
18-10 | 6-5 | t-5th | Quarterfinals | Round of 32 |
| 2000 | Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt , is a former professional tennis player and coach from Australia. From 1998-2004 he coached the University of Tennessee Volunteers tennis team.... |
23-6 | 10-1 | co-SEC Champions | Quarterfinals | Semifinals |
| 2001 | Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt , is a former professional tennis player and coach from Australia. From 1998-2004 he coached the University of Tennessee Volunteers tennis team.... |
23-6 | 9-2 | 2nd | Finals | Finals |
| 2002 | Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt , is a former professional tennis player and coach from Australia. From 1998-2004 he coached the University of Tennessee Volunteers tennis team.... |
22-7 | 7-4 | t-2nd East | Champions | Semifinals |
| 2003 | Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt , is a former professional tennis player and coach from Australia. From 1998-2004 he coached the University of Tennessee Volunteers tennis team.... |
9-12 | 2-9 | 6th East | First Round | - |
| 2004 | Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt Michael Fancutt , is a former professional tennis player and coach from Australia. From 1998-2004 he coached the University of Tennessee Volunteers tennis team.... |
14-9 | 6-5 | 4th East | First Round | Round of 32 |
| 2005 | Chris Mahony | 16-9 | 6-5 | t-3rd East | Finals | Round of 16 |
| 2006 | Chris Mahony | 9-11 | 3-8 | 5th East | First Round | - |
| 2007 | Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham is a British college tennis coach and former college player. He is the current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team of the University of Tennessee. Winterbotham was previously an assistant coach for the Baylor Bears where he helped guide the team to the 2004... |
17-8 | 7-4 | t-2nd East | Quarterfinals | Round of 32 |
| 2008 | Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham is a British college tennis coach and former college player. He is the current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team of the University of Tennessee. Winterbotham was previously an assistant coach for the Baylor Bears where he helped guide the team to the 2004... |
23-4 | 9-2 | t-2nd East | Semifinals | Round of 16 |
| 2009 | Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham is a British college tennis coach and former college player. He is the current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team of the University of Tennessee. Winterbotham was previously an assistant coach for the Baylor Bears where he helped guide the team to the 2004... |
23-7 | 8-3 | 2nd East | Finals | Round of 16 |
| 2010 | Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham is a British college tennis coach and former college player. He is the current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team of the University of Tennessee. Winterbotham was previously an assistant coach for the Baylor Bears where he helped guide the team to the 2004... |
31-2 | 11-0 | SEC Champions | Champions | Finals |
| 2011 | Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham Sam Winterbotham is a British college tennis coach and former college player. He is the current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team of the University of Tennessee. Winterbotham was previously an assistant coach for the Baylor Bears where he helped guide the team to the 2004... |
24-5 | 10-1 | SEC Champions | Semifinals | Semifinals |
All-Americans
Tennessee has a total of 31 tennis All-Americans- Paul AnnaconePaul AnnaconePaul Annacone is a former touring professional tennis player and current well-known tennis coach.-As a college player:...
, 1982, 1983, 1984 - Shelby CannonShelby CannonShelby Cannon , is a former professional tennis player from the United States.Cannon enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won 3 doubles titles and finished runner-up an additional 6 times. He achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No...
, 1986, 1987, 1988 - Boris Conkic, 2011
- Mike De PalmerMike De PalmerMike De Palmer , is a former professional tennis player from the United States.De Palmer enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won 6 tour doubles titles and finished runner-up an additional 6 times. He achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No...
, 1981, 1982 - Michael FancuttMichael FancuttMichael Fancutt , is a former professional tennis player and coach from Australia. From 1998-2004 he coached the University of Tennessee Volunteers tennis team....
, 1979 - Doug FlachDoug FlachDoug Flach is a former tennis player from the United States.Flach won two doubles titles during his career. The right-hander reached his highest individual ranking on the ATP Tour on March 21, 1994, when he reached World No. 108. He defeated Andre Agassi in the first round at Wimbledon in...
, 1990 - Chris Green, 1984
- Chris HaggardChris HaggardChris Haggard is a professional tennis player from South Africa.After finishing runner-up in the NAIA national men's tennis championship singles draw in 1991 while playing for Auburn University-Montgomery, Haggard turned pro in 1993. He has won six ATP Tour doubles titles and finished runner-up a...
, 1993 - Peter Handoyo, 1999, 2001, 2002
- Rodney HarmonRodney HarmonRodney Harmon is a former professional tennis player the ATP.Perhaps Rodney's greatest result came at the 1982 U.S. Open, when he got through to the quarterfinals...
, 1980 - Kaden Hensel, 2007, 2008
- Tim Jessup, 1990, 1991
- Brice Karsh, 1990, 1991
- Andy KohlbergAndy KohlbergAndy Kohlberg , is a former professional tennis player from the United States.Kohlberg enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won 1 doubles title. He achieved a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 26 in 1988.-Doubles titles :-Runner-ups :-External links:...
, 1979 - Chris Mahony, 1994, 1996
- Pablo Montana, 1994, 1995, 1996
- Tommy Mozur, 1968, 1970
- Ockie Oosthuizen, 2005
- Mark Parsons, 1999
- Mel PurcellMel PurcellMel Purcell is a former World No. 17 tennis player in the ATP tennis rankings. He is the head coach of the Murray State University men's tennis team...
, 1980 - Simon ReaSimon Rea (tennis)Simon Rea is a tennis player from New Zealand.The former New Zealand number two Rea's highest ATP singles rank was World No. 473.-Sources:...
, 2004 - Ben Rogers, 2005
- Davey Sandgren, 2009, 2010
- Tennys Sandgren, 2011
- Lenny Schloss, 1967
- John-Patrick Smith, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Damien Spizzo, 2004
- Byron TalbotByron TalbotByron Talbot , is a former professional tennis player from South Africa. He enjoyed most of his tennis success while playing doubles. During his career he won seven doubles titles and finished runner-up an additional six times...
, 1986, 1987, 1988 - Mario Toledo, 2002
- Rhyne Williams, 2010, 2011
- Chris WoodruffChris WoodruffChris Woodruff is an American former professional male tennis player. He hails from Knoxville, Tennessee and was trained at the Knoxville Racquet Club.- College career :...
, 1992, 1993
See also
- Tennessee VolunteersTennessee VolunteersThe Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the National Collegiate Athletic Association college sports teams at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mike Hamilton is the most recent Men's Athletic Director, but resigned on June 7, 2011, and Joan Cronan is the current Women's...
- Tennessee Lady Volunteers tennis
- TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
- Sam WinterbothamSam WinterbothamSam Winterbotham is a British college tennis coach and former college player. He is the current head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's tennis team of the University of Tennessee. Winterbotham was previously an assistant coach for the Baylor Bears where he helped guide the team to the 2004...