Greenville, S.C. – The Furman men's tennis team begins its 2024 season on the road this weekend when it travels to Knoxville, Tenn. to face the 6^th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers and Penn Quakers in a pair of non-conference matches.

The Paladins begin their season on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Tennessee followed by a 9 a.m. matchup on Sunday morning versus Penn at Tennessee's Goodfriend Tennis Center.

Fans can follow Friday's season opener against the Volunteers on www.furmanpaladins.com via live stats and live streaming. Live stats will also be available for Sunday's match versus Penn. Updates will be posted on the Furman men's tennis Twitter page (@FurmanMTennis).

Under the direction of head coach J.J. Whitlinger, who is entering his ninth year overall with the Paladins and fifth as head coach, Furman finished 11-14 last year and went 4-3 in the SoCon. The Paladins return a total of nine letterwinners from last year's squad, including SoCon All-Freshman Team selection Thomas Kennedy, and welcome two freshmen newcomers.

The Volunteers, who are ranked preseason number six by the ITA, were 23-8 overall last season and advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals. The Quakers posted a 13-9 mark last year and went 5-2 against Ivy League opponents.

Furman is tied 1-1 with Penn in the all-time series and trails Tennessee 15-1.

The Paladins open their home schedule next weekend, January 19-20, hosting Queens (N.C.) and James Madison at Mickel Tennis Center.