Rebels to Battle Aggies in Non-Conference Home Match
No. 17 Ole Miss men’s tennis opens the 2021 season at home on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 against No. 11 Texas A&M at 1 pm CT.
Spring Startup
The Rebels enter the season led by two seniors, Tim Sandkaulen and Finn Reynolds. Sandkaulen and Reynolds were named ITA Doubles All-Americans in 2020. For this season, the ITA has recognized their previous success and the duo was voted as the No. 7 tandem in the Oracle/ITA preseason poll. Additionally, Sandkaulen ranks nationally in singles competition at No. 62.
Nikola Slavic looks to keep-up the momentum in year two. Slavic, the 2020 ITA Southern Region Rookie of the Year, is set to compete for the Rebels for the first time since March, 2020, after missing the fall season overseas. Slavic compiled a 10-2 singles record in duals last season.
Ole Miss also welcomes Jakob Cadonau and John Hallquist Lithén to their first collegiate match. The two freshmen Rebels will also face their first SEC opponent in the Aggies.
Fall Recap
Four student-athletes competed for the Rebels during the fall season.
Brady Draheim: Won six matches in the fall, including singles and double debuts
Jan Soren Hain: Earned four victories in the fall
Simon Junk: Competed in five matches at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships
Tim Sandkaulen: Led the team with nine total victories (5 Singles, 4 Doubles)
A&M Analysis
Last season, Texas A&M compiled a 12-3 (4-0 SEC) record. They finished last season on a seven-match winning streak including victories over No. 6 Florida, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt.
The Aggies boast a highly ranked-squad for the 2021 season featuring five top-125 singles players and one top-50 doubles duo. Notably, Valentin Vacherot ranks No. 4 nationally. Next up, Hady Habib ranks No. 13 nationally after accumulating a perfect 5-0 singles record in the fall.
Against the Aggies
Ole Miss has come up short against the Aggies in three straight matches. The Rebels last beat the Aggies on Jan. 29, 2017 in a 4-3 road victory. Ole Miss and Texas A&M did not face-off during the 2019-20 season.
