Hardegree follows new game plan

"It's been in the back of my mind,'' said Hardegree, a junior with one more year of tennis eligibility. "I was hitting a few balls with a buddy on the team, Rawl Martin, and the coaches watched. They just said, 'Is there any way we can get you to come hit some balls?' "

Hardegree decided to give up football where he was a third-team quarterback and try his hand at tennis, where he was a high school state champion.

"I'm a little rusty, but it's coming back,'' Hardegree said.

Hardegree has won two singles and two doubles matches for coach Sam Winterbotham's Vols.

"He hits it a ton and he's got a huge serve,'' Winterbotham said. "If he puts his mind to it, he can make it happen. He could help us now, but we've got so many experienced players. I think next year will be his year.''

Hardegree said he isn't surprised that he's won all four of his matches.

"I feel like I should win every match,'' Hardegree said.

The 6-foot-5 Hardegree describes himself as an aggressive serve-and-volley player who is solid at the net. He has played with three doubles partners.

"I enjoy playing with everybody,'' Hardegree said.

Hardegree had offers to play tennis out of high school but his heart was in football. He describes himself as a fiery competitor.

"By all means,'' he said. "I really get into it. It's fun.''