Sunday, 02/07/2010

The fifth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers will see their fair share of Illinois next week. The teams now square off not just once, but twice.

The Vols (6-0) have had 12th-ranked Illinois (2-1) on the non-conference slate for quite some time and are set to host the Fighting Illini on Sunday at noon. As it turns out, Tennessee will also play Illinois on Feb. 12 in the first round of the ITA National Team Indoor Championship.

Illinois moved from No. 15 to No. 12 in the ITA national rankings released Thursday afternoon along with the tournament draw. The seeding for the Indoor Championships is based on the rankings, so Tennessee drew the Fighting Illini in the round of 16.

The Vols remained at No. 5 in the rankings, as did all the men's teams in the top 11.

Tennessee and Illinois qualified for the Indoor Championships by winning two matches during the ITA Kick-Off Weekend. The Vols swept Utah and South Carolina to advance to the national event. Illinois defeated Virginia Tech and Washington.

Sunday's meeting with Illinois will be the Vols' final match before the Indoor Championships in Charlottesville, Va., on Feb. 12-15.

ITA Top 15
1. Southern California
2. Virginia
3. Ohio State
4. UCLA
5. Tennessee
6. Baylor
7. Georgia
8. Texas
9. Stanford
10. Mississippi
11. Florida
12. Illinois
13. Pepperdine
14. Kentucky
15. Wake Forest