MEET CENTRAL: Vols vs. Florida Senior Day Festivities Start at 10:45 a.m.

TENNESSEE (3-2, 2-1) vs. FLORIDA (5-0-1, 2-0-1)

January 27, 2012 | 11 a.m. ET

Allan Jones Aquatic Center | Athens, Ga.

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THE FLORIDA MEET

Tennessee, ranked No. 20 in the latest poll, is coming off a 163-137 loss on the road last week at Georgia.

Florida is ranked seventh nationally. The Gators moved up after knocking off SEC power Auburn 153-147.

Florida is ranked seventh nationally. The Gators moved up after knocking off SEC power Auburn 153-147.

Five Vols are swimming their final dual meet at home Saturday: Jake Epperson, Ryan Helms, Ricky Henahan, Carl Jones and Derek Paul. After the meet, they will participate in the Ghosts in the Rafters tradition of signing their names on the rafters of Allan Jones Aquatic Center.

This is Tennessee's second home dual match of the season. The Vols also hosted the Tennessee Fall Invitational.

Two seniors have logged major points in their respective events this season. Henahan has won the 100 backstroke four times this season. Helms has captured the 1-meter title four times in meets as well. Epperson has been leading the way in the breaststroke events as well.

In last year's meeting, the Vols lost 198-101 to Florida in Gainesville, Fla. The last time Tennessee and Florida faced at Allan Jones Aquatic Center, the Gators won 164-133.

Florida Coach Gregg Troy on the Matchup: "Traditionally, Tennessee is always our last meet before the conference championships, so both teams are a little more tuned than what thy would be earlier in the season. Tennessee is always well coached, plus, we're getting them on their senior meet, so we'll get from them the same type of enthusiasm that we had from our folks this past weekend against Auburn.It makes for an especially good meet which allows both teams to tune-up right before SEC's."

THE SENIORS

Jake Epperson (TOLEDO, OHIO): Epperson has excelled in the breaststroke and individual medley throughout his career at Tennessee. Epperson swam to a bronze medal in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke as a junior in last year's SEC Championships. In the UT record book, Epperson has the third-fastest time in the 200 breaststroke and the fifth-fastest time in the 100 breaststroke.
Earlier this season, Jake was named SEC Swimmer of the Week. He has the fastest 200 breaststroke time on the team this season. He is also part of the Vols' top 200 and 400 medley relay teams.
Ryan Helms (MOULTRIE, GA.): Entering his final home meet, there is no doubt Helms stands among the most accomplished divers in Tennessee history.
Helms is a four-time honorable mention All-American and has won four medals in the SEC Championships. He won silver in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events as a junior at last season's conference meet. In the Tennessee record book, he has the second highest 1-meter score and the fourth highest score on both the 3 meter and platform.
Earlier this season, he qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 3-meter competition. He was also recently selected to represent the United States in the Canadian Cup. He leads this year's Vols in both the 1 meter and 3 meter.

Ricky Henahan (ROCHESTER, N.Y.): Throughout his career at Tennessee, Henahan has been a standout backstroker and a key part of the Vols' medley relays.
He has the second-fastest 100 backstroke and third-fastest 200 backstroke times in program history. In 2009, he swam the first leg of the school-record setting 200 medley relay team. He won the bronze medal in the 100 backstroke at last year's SEC Championships, also finishing fourth in the 200 backstroke. He has 11 All-American honors, five of them coming as a junior last season.
Earlier this season, Henahan was named SEC Swimmer of the Week. He has the fastest 100 backstroke time of the season. He is also part of the Vols' top 200 and 400 medley relay teams.

Carl Jones (WALLA WALLA, WASH.): Jones is wrapping up his time at Tennessee as the veteran member of the Vols distance freestylers. His final year has been one of his best as he hopes to reach the NCAAs close to his hometown in Washington. He has clocked the team's second-fastest time in both the 1000 and 1500 freestyle races. He also has the third-fastest time in the 500 freestyle.
As a freshman, Jones swam the second-fastest 1650 freestyle in program history. He also has the sixth-best time in the 1000 and the seventh-best in the 500.

Derek Paul (McCORDSVILLE, IND.): Paul is another one of Tennessee's four-year letter winners and a breaststroke specialist. He has the 12th-fastest time in the breaststroke in program history, posted as a junior last season. He won his first career race last year, finishing first in the 100 individual medley against the Cumberlands.
This year, he has the Vols' fifth-best time in the 100 breaststroke. Paul has already graduated with a degree in finance and is currently attending law school.