ANDERSON, S.C.--Head Coach Joey Eskridge enters his 18th spring at the helm of AU's tennis programs, which kicks off next month. Following a scrimmage on the road against The Citadel, the Trojans will host four straight matches to open then season, playing all of February at the AU Tennis Complex.
"I am excited to get the programs going this week," said Eskridge. "We have more upperclassmen in the line up on the guys' side, so I am hoping that with their experience we can beat some teams we have not beaten in the previous two seasons. Overall, looking forward to a great season with both teams and just pray for good health and safe travel."
Opening day for the Black and Gold will be Friday, Feb. 13 against USC Sumter at 2 PM. Anderson will then welcome the Patriots of Francis Marion the following Saturday (Feb. 21 at 1:30 PM) before kicking off South Atlantic Conference play. The Trojans are 0-2 all-time against the Patriots, though the matchups took place in 2010 and 2012.
The Trojans host the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears on Wednesday, Feb. 25 and the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters on Saturday, Feb. 28. All SAC contests are slated for 11 AM. AU is 12-4 against LR, while the series between AU and LMU is closer, slightly favoring the Trojans at 10-8. However, Anderson is looking for their first win since 2023 over both opponents.
March begins with Anderson facing Tusculum (March 4) on the road, before returning home to close out non-conference play against Columbus State (March 6). Last season, the Trojans earned a 4-1 victory over the Pioneers, snapping a five-game Tusculum win-streak. Against the Cougars, Anderson seeks their first win in the series.
AU then travels to Coker on March 18, before hosting Mars Hill and Wingate on March 21 and 22. The Trojans are 9-4 against the Cobras, 15-0 against the Lions and 4-15 against the Bulldogs.
On March 25, Anderson will make the trip to Carson-Newman for a series the Trojans have a 12-2 advantage. AU then looks to bounce back from last year's first-ever loss against UVA Wise when the Cavaliers come to Anderson on March 28.
The Trojans host Newberry on April 1, before concluding the regular season with back-to-back road games—at Emory & Henry on April 3 and at Catawba on April 10.
The SAC Championships kickoff on April 16 with the Quarterfinals Round. The tournament will be held at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, S.C.
