University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Swimmers Host USC And Kentucky Friday
October 25, 2007 | Men's Swimming & Diving
The eleventh-ranked Tennessee men???s swimming and diving team host South Carolina and Kentucky Friday at the UT Student Aquatic Center.
Last season, the Vols triumphed over both teams, beating the Gamecocks and the Wildcats by scores of 128-111 and 135-104, respectively. Historically, the Vols are 25-2 against South Carolina, their first meeting coming in 1970, and 39-3 against Kentucky, as the series dates back to 1937.
Friday???s opponents will be the first conference matchup for the Vols this season.
???It???s a great opportunity for our team, half of which haven???t ever run through the T for a home meet at Ray Bussard Aquatic Center, to learn first-hand about SEC?competition,??? UT head coach John Trembley said. ???Kentucky is a great program. They have some tremendously talented athletes, both from international and US waters. They bring a very seasoned group to Knoxville. Our new swimmers will be challenged as well as our best swimmers. South Carolina has had a coaching turnover, so they are a team that will be looking to develop over the next few years.???
The Vols come off a victory against the Cardinals at Louisville, Ky., this past Saturday, 165-130.
???Our team has really not been challenged yet,??? Trembley said. ???They have not performed as their training has warranted. Hopefully they will pull-together quickly.???
This meet marks the only double dual meet on the year for the Volunteers.
???It is an unusual format,??? Trembley said. ???It is a double dual-meet which means the aquatic center will be like a three-ring circus. That could add to the confusion but it could also add to some excitement. We look forward to putting together a great competition.???
The meet begins at 3:00 in the UT Student Aquatic Center. Next Friday (Nov. 2), the Vols face defending national champions Auburn.
