Men’s Tennis Begins Homestand With Doubleheader Against Citadel

Columbia, S.C. – No. 16 South Carolina men’s tennis will begin a four-match homestand on Wednesday with a doubleheader against Citadel. The Gamecocks will first take on the Bulldogs at 11:00 a.m. and will follow it up with a second match after an adequate period of rest for the players.

The matches will be played at the Carolina Tennis Center located at 1318 Heyward St. Fan parking is available in the dirt lot located behind the tennis facility or at any City of Columbia metered spots located around the athletics village. Forecasted weather may impact the match location and parking availability. Be sure to keep up with the latest information on GamecocksOnline.com.

Those not in attendance can view live streaming for the first match here with live stats here. Live streaming for the second match will also be available here with live stats here.

Gamecock Notables

• The team is ranked No. 16 in this week’s edition of the ITA computerized team rankings. The squad began the season at No. 5 and has been ranked as high as No. 2 this season.
• After starting the season 3-0, the Gamecocks now sit at 4-5 coming off of their appearance at the ITA Indoor Championships in New York.
• There are three Gamecocks in the ITA singles rankings – No. 71 Toby Samuel, No. 106 Casey Hoole, and No. 120 Jelani Sarr.
• Samuel has handled duties at the top of the lineup where he is 3-4 this season. Hoole has been at the No. 2 position for the team where he is 4-5.
• In the doubles rankings, Samuel and Hoole sky rocked up to No. 9 in the nation after upsetting then Nos. 14 and 5 at the ITA Indoor Championships.

Scouting the Bulldogs

• The Bulldogs are 3-10 on the season after facing a grueling non-conference schedule against numerous Power Five opponents. The teams three wins this season have come in a 7-2 mark over Newberry, and sweeps of USC Sumter and Lees-McRae.
• There are no Citadel players in the ITA rankings.
• Senior Hayden Shoemake has led the team from the top of both the doubles and singles lineups this season.

Series History

• South Carolina leads the all-time series 31-4 against the Citadel and has won the last 26 meetings.
• The two programs first faced in 1951 in Columbia with South Carolina winning 8-1. The Citadel’s last win in the series came in a 6-3 results in 1957.
• The Gamecocks have swept each of the last ten meetings 7-0. The Citadel has not scored a point on South Carolina since 2015.

For all the latest South Carolina men’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).