Ryan Stevens Assistant Coach | Wayne State University Athletics Website
Ryan Stevens Assistant Coach | Wayne State University Athletics Website
The Wayne State University men's tennis team has secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed for the Midwest Regional. The team, with a 14-10 overall record, will compete in Big Rapids, Michigan.
This marks the 14th time in school history that Wayne State's men's tennis team has qualified for the NCAA Tournament and the eighth time under head coach Bryan Morrow. Wayne State is set to face #37-Tiffin on Monday, May 13, at 2 p.m. in Big Rapids. This match follows a contest between #17-Ferris State and #44-Grand Valley State at 10 a.m. Ferris State hosts this portion of the Midwest Regional as the second seed.
Winners from these matches will compete in the regional finals on Tuesday, May 14, with a chance to advance to Altamonte Springs, Florida, for the NCAA Round of 16. Matches will be held at Big Rapids High School or indoors at FSU Racquet & Fitness Center if necessary.
The Midwest Region consists of eight teams divided into two sections. In another section of this region, Indianapolis holds the top overall seed and faces Findlay while Drury and McKendree also compete.
Wayne State finished its season with an impressive performance within their conference and region. They posted an 11-4 record within the Midwest Region by April's end and advanced to the GLIAC Tournament final round but narrowly lost to Ferris State.
Nationally ranked throughout this season by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), Wayne State currently stands 20th in Division II rankings as of May 2. Cedric Drenth and Daniel Grey were recognized as top doubles players nationally while Grey is fifth in singles rankings.
In past tournaments, Wayne State reached NCAA Quarterfinals last year after hosting part of the Midwest Regional but was defeated by Barry who went on to win their fourth consecutive championship title.
Wayne State's all-time NCAA Tournament record is now at 15-13 following victories over several teams last year during their third consecutive appearance and fifth inclusion over six recent tournaments.
During this year's selection show streamed via NCAA’s website, forty-eight teams were announced participants with sixteen having secured bids through conference titles wins. The winners from sixteen regional sections nationwide will proceed to Altamonte Springs for matches scheduled from May 21 through May 25.
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