No. 23 Cardinals Play Host to No. 2 Kentucky Michigan State, Tennessee State This Weekend

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The No. 23-ranked University of Louisville men's tennis team will open a three-match home stand this weekend starting with a matchup against in-state rival, No. 2 Kentucky on Friday at 5 p.m. The Cardinals will continue play at home on Sunday when Michigan State and Tennessee State visit the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center. Admission is free to all home matches.

The Cardinals bring a 5-1 overall record into the weekend after sitting idle since Jan. 30 following the ITA Kickoff Weekend. Louisville opened the season with five-straight wins, including a victory over then-No. 24 Northwestern before falling to host and then-15th-ranked Georgia 4-1 in the finals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Kickoff Weekend.

Louisville stands at No. 23 in the ITA team rankings, marking its second-straight week in the top 25. The Cardinals also boast four singles players in the top 125 and a pair of nationally-ranked doubles teams.

In singles, Fabien Salle stands at No. 26, a career-best for the graduate student. Sophomore Natan Rodrigues is slotted at No. 47 while senior Etienne Donnet follows at No. 53 and senior Matthew Fung rounds out the ranked Cardinals at No. 121. In doubles, Salle and Rodrigues stand at No. 14 after reaching a career-best No. 9 in the November rankings. Graduate student David Mizrahi and freshman Will Mayew jumped 19 spots to No. 39 in the most recent rankings released on Feb. 8.

Cards Against the Field
Kentucky
Series Record: UK leads 28-0
Last meeting: Jan. 21, 2022 – Kentucky won 4-0 in Lexington
Scouting the Wildcats: Kentucky brings an 8-0 overall record into the weekend including a win over then-No. 1 Virginia. The Wildcats jumped up three spots to No. 2 in the ITA rankings, marking the best ranking in program history. Last season UK posted a runner-up finish in the NCAA Championship. Kentucky's roster features five players who are in the ITA singles rankings.

Michigan State
Series Record: Louisville leads 8-3
Last meeting: Feb. 12, 2022 – Louisville won 6-1 in East Lansing.
Scouting the Spartans: Michigan State brings a 3-3 record into Sunday's matchup. In their most recent match, the Spartans beat Ball State 4-3 last weekend. MSU has a pair of doubles teams ranked among the top 60 in the nation.

Tennessee State
Series Record: Louisville leads 1-0
Last meeting: March 6, 2022 – Louisville won 4-0 at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center
Scouting the Tigers: Tennessee State enters the weekend with a 2-5 record prior to a match against Lipscomb on Friday. Most recently, the Tigers defeated Tennessee Southern 5-1 last weekend.

Up Next: The Cardinals will hit the road to face Indiana on Friday, Feb. 17.

No. 23 Cardinals Play Host to No. 2 Kentucky Michigan State, Tennessee State This Weekend

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Players Mentioned

Etienne Donnet

Matthew Fung

Will Mayew

Natan Rodrigues

Fabien Salle

University of Louisville Athletics