The No. 8 seed Texas Tech men’s tennis team embarks on NCAA Tournament play versus New Mexico State, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) champion, as part of a four-team regional running from May 14-15 at the McLeod Tennis Center announced Tuesday by the NCAA.
Texas Tech (27-5) collected an at-large selection into the NCAA Field of 64 and are appearing in the program’s 10th NCAA Tournament over the last 12 seasons. The only other time the Red Raiders played host to the NCAA First and Second Rounds was in 2005 when Tech defeated Army and Wake Forest en route to the program’s lone trip to the NCAA Sweet 16.
“Being able to host NCAAs means a great deal to our program,” Texas Tech head coach Brett Masi said. “It shows the hard work that the guys have put in has paid off. Hosting gives a distinct advantage, and we’re hopeful to get to the next set of matches in Tulsa. We have wind and altitude in Lubbock, and our guys are used to playing under those conditions. Our guys are going to feel comfortable when they step out on the court next Saturday.”
Texas Tech has already amassed a program single-season record with 27 victories and captured a share of the program’s first Big 12 regular season championship. The Red Raiders and New Mexico State (12-9) will square off at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday.
SMU (20-8) and Washington (17-9) open up the single elimination event with a 10 a.m. CT first serve on Saturday. The two winners will meet Sunday at 1 p.m. CT with the advancing team punching their ticket to the NCAA Round of 16 in Tulsa on Friday, May 20. The winner of the NCAA Lubbock Regional faces the winner of the NCAA Gainesville Regional which features No. 9 seed Florida, North Florida, South Florida and St. John’s.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the Texas Tech men’s tennis program. Fans can also follow the program on its social media outlets at www.facebook.com/Techmenstennis and @TexasTechTennis on Twitter.
2016 NCAA Lubbock Regional
Saturday, May 14 – First Round
Match 1: SMU vs. Washington – 10 a.m. CT
Match 2: No. 8 Texas Tech vs. New Mexico State – 1 p.m. CT
Sunday, May 15 – Second Round
Match 3: Match 1 winner vs. Match 2 winner – 1 p.m. CT
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The Texas Tech women’s tennis team garnered the No. 16 national seed and will play host to the NCAA Tournament First and Second Rounds for the third time in the last four seasons at the McLeod Tennis Center announced Tuesday by the NCAA.
The Lady Raiders (23-5) garnered an at-large bid into the NCAA Field of 64 and have pieced together four consecutive NCAA Tournament selections under head coach Todd Petty. Texas Tech was the No. 16 national seed last season and earned the program’s first trip to the NCAA Sweet 16.
“I’m super excited for these young ladies,” Petty said. “It was a bit nerve-racking not knowing where we were going to fall, but they deserve to host after such a good run at the Big 12 tournament and the great non-conference season they were able to put together. We know it’s a tough pod, and we have a tough road ahead being the No. 16 seed. We feel fortunate to be at home and play In front of the people who have supported us for so many years. Also, to play alongside of our men’s team and share the experience with them is special. It’s a great day for Texas Tech tennis.”
Texas Tech has already racked up a program single-season record with 23 wins and made the program’s second straight appearance in the championship match of the Big 12 Tournament. The Lady Raiders and Boston University (12-8) will meet at 5 p.m. CT on Friday.
Mississippi State (17-8) and Virginia Tech (14-9) will begin the four-team regional with a 2 p.m. CT first serve on Friday. The two winners will battle Saturday at 4 p.m. CT with the advancing team securing their spot in the NCAA Round of 16 in Tulsa on Thursday, May 19. The winner of the NCAA Lubbock Regional faces the winner of the NCAA Berkeley Regional which features No. 1 seed California, Kansas, UC Santa Barbara and UT Rio Grande Valley.
Visit www.TexasTech.com for the latest news and information on the women’s tennis program. Fans also can follow the program and live match updates on its social media outlets at www.Facebook.com/TechWomensTennis and @TexasTechTennis on Twitter.
2016 NCAA Lubbock Regional
Friday, May 13 – First Round
Match 1: Mississippi State vs. Virginia Tech – 2 p.m. CT
Match 2: No. 16 Texas Tech vs. Boston University – 5 p.m. CT
Saturday, May 14 – Second Round
Match 3: Match 1 winner vs. Match 2 winner – 4 p.m. CT
(Press Release Provided by Texas Tech Athletics)