The Kentucky men?s and women?s swimming and diving squads open the conference portion of their 2004-05 slates Friday evening when the Cats travel to Knoxville to meet Tennessee. The Cats and Vols are set for a 5 p.m. EDT start at the UT Student Aquatic Center.

Kentucky heads to Knoxville on the heels of a dominant season-opening meet last Saturday against Michigan State. The UK men (1-0) claimed a 151-86 victory, while the UK women (1-0) dealt MSU a 150-90 defeat. Kentucky won each of the 26 events, though five of those were completed as exhibition events with the outcome of the match well in hand.

The UT men scored a victory over Georgia Tech last weekend, while the Tennessee women defeated Richmond in their season opener. The 2003-04 Vols placed eighth at the NCAA Championships, and the Lady Vols took 28th place. The Kentucky men placed 15th at the NCAA Championships. Tennessee defeated the UK men and women last season in Lexington.

UK Men Earn No. 20 National Ranking

The Kentucky men?s swimming and diving squad earned a No. 20 ranking in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) poll released this week. The Cats came in at No. 21 in the initial poll a season ago.

CSCAA Men?s Swimming & Diving Rankings

 1 Auburn 2 Stanford 3 California 4 Florida 5 Texas 6 Arizona 7 Minnesota 8 Southern Cal 9 Michigan 10 Tennessee 11 North Carolina 12 Virginia 13 Georgia 14 Indiana 15 Northwestern 16 Wisconsin 17 Arizona State 17 Pittsburgh 19 Texas A&M 20 Kentucky 21 Hawaii 22 BYU 23 Purdue 24 Florida State 25 Washington