Men's Tennis Opens NCAA Championships Against ETSU
5/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
May 14, 2010
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The men's tennis team (13-13) begins NCAA Championship play Saturday, May 15 when it takes on East Tennessee State (15-7) at Barksdale Stadium on the University of Tennessee campus. The Crimson Tide, which earned the second-seed in the Knoxville Regional, and the third-seed Buccaneers are slated to hit the courts at 9 a.m. EST.
Alabama is playing in its 16th NCAA Championship in program history and seventh under head coach Billy Pate. The Tide's top finish in the 64-team draw was the Round of 16, last accomplished in 2007. In the 2009 NCAA Championships, Alabama fell in the second round with a grueling 4-3 loss to Boise State in Tuscaloosa.
The Tide has been ranked in the top 40 all season and is currently No. 32 in the nation. Alabama played 20 matches against nationally-ranked teams earning wins in seven of those contests.
East Tennessee State enters the tournament ranked No. 65 after winning its fourth consecutive Atlantic Sun Conference Championship. The Bucs have come out on top in their last eight matches and 13 of their last 14 contests. East Tennessee State will be making its eighth NCAA appearance where the Bucs hold a record of 1-8. Their lone win on the tournament came two seasons ago against Notre Dame.
Joining Alabama and East Tennessee State in Knoxville is host-institution, and the No. 2 overall seed, Tennessee (26-1) and fourth-seeded Winthrop (13-11). The Volunteers and Eagles are schedule to play at noon EST. Second Round action is slated for Sunday, May 16 at 1 p.m. EST.
Regional information, including live scoring, can be found by clicking here.
