The UTM men's tennis team opened its spring season with losses to nationally ranked Tennessee and Memphis Saturday in Knoxville at the Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center.

"I thought our team did well although the scores didn't indicate that," said Dennis Taylor, Tennessee-Martin head tennis coach. The Skyhawks suffered a 7-0 loss to No. 54 Tennessee and a 7-0 loss to No. 69 Memphis.

"We played surprisingly well. I saw a little nervousness, but that is to be expected this early in the season," Taylor said.

The UTM men's tennis team will continue its spring season with two road matches this weekend.

The Skyhawks will play Lipscomb University at 6:30 p.m. Friday (Jan. 30) in Nashville.

"Lipscomb has a solid team," said Dennis Taylor, UT Martin tennis coach. "We expect them to play really well, but we expect to win. If we don't win, we will be extremely disappointed."

The Skyhawks defeated Lipscomb 5-2 during the fall season. UTM will then take on the nation's second best team in Vanderbilt on Saturday. The Skyhawks will meet the Commodores at 11 a.m. in Nashville.

"It is going to be tough playing against the number two team in the nation," said Taylor. "When you play teams like Vanderbilt, it only makes you better."

"Vanderbilt should prepare us for Ohio Valley Conference action," said Taylor.

The Skyhawks will travel to Evansville to face Southern Indiana on Saturday, Feb. 14, before playing conference rivals Samford and Jacksonville State on the road.