Sitting on top of the SEC must be pretty nice for Georgia’s tennis program.

For the first time since 2002, the Georgia men’s and women’s tennis teams capped regular season runs with SEC championships, as both units defeated Tennessee teams 4-1 and 6-1, respectively.

The top-ranked men’s team (23-0, 11-0 SEC) finished its second straight perfect regular season on Senior Day while the women (18-1, 10-1 SEC) clinched the SEC regular season championship with its win over the Lady Volunteers.

“We want Georgia tennis to be symbolic with collegiate excellence,” men’s head coach Manuel Diaz said, “and it’s a tribute to what (women’s) coach (Jeff) Wallace has done with the program. He’s put together a great group of ladies.”

The men defeated the Volunteers (16-5, 7-4 SEC) 4-1 on Senior Day with top-ranked senior John Isner’s clinching victory over No. 33 Kaden Hensel 6-2, 7-6 (8-6 tiebreaker).

“It is extra sweet to get the match-clincher on Senior Day,” Isner said. “I was actually really glad that it did come down to me.”

Isner won the first set with ease, but Hensel fought his way back in the second set with some great service returns. Isner, who is coming off a sprained ankle, said he simply let up in the second set against his opponent.

“I was up a break, then I lost a break, and I should not have gotten to that point. I needed to close it out,” Isner said.

The Bulldogs overcame early adversity as they lost the doubles point for the first time this season and the Volunteers swept the three courts. The Bulldogs’ No. 1 doubles team of Isner and Luis Flores lost for the second time this season, falling to No. 23 Hensel and Bobby Cameron 9-8 (10-8 tiebreaker).

Senior Ricardo Gonzales and freshman Jamie Hunt came up a hair short in their No. 3 doubles match, losing 9-8 (7-2 tiebreaker). Despite losing his match, Gonzales could not contain his excitement for Georgia’s undefeated regular season and for the upcoming national championships in Athens.

“This is an unbelievable feeling,” Gonzales said. “I could not ask for anything better than this, and playing for a national championship at home is what I’ve been waiting for since I signed at Georgia.”

Tennessee got off to a good start in singles play, keeping many of the matches close early. Rain interrupted the play, and the dual match was moved inside to the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Courts, where the National Indoors Champions rolled.

“Losing all three (doubles matches) made us take responsibility for singles,” junior Travis Helgeson said.

Once Isner clinched the match, play was stopped due to time constraints.

The No. 6 Lady Bulldogs took care of the Lady Volunteers (11-9, 6-5 SEC) in Knoxville, spoiling Tennessee’s Senior Day with a 6-1 win. Senior Natalie Frazier clinched the SEC regular season title with a 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

“It’s been a tremendous season for us and I can’t think of any better way to cap it off than with a conference championship,” Wallace said.