Volunteers drop a pair of close matches at the 2009 national tournament
An upset minded University of Tennessee men's rugby team took on Penn State in the first round of the 2009 USA Rugby National Championship Tournament held on the campus of Life University in Marietta, Georgia. This was UT's sixth consecutive appearance in the national event, this year particpating as the South's #2 seed.

Tennessee 12, Penn State 26
Tennessee controlled much of the possession and field position early on but couldn't get the ball across the line and eventually were defeated by two late tries by the Nittany Lions. The loss sends UT to the consolation match against St Mary's while PSU advanced to take on Army.

Tennessee 15, St Mary's 20
The Volunteers again fought from behind only to see the opponent score a try in the closing minutes for the victory.