The Florida women’s and men’s tennis teams will begin their respective NCAA tournaments at a familiar place – Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex.
The NCAA Tennis Committee announced the first- and second-round assignments for the NCAA Team Championships, and both Florida teams will play on their home court – the men May 8-9 and the women May 9-10. Starting times will be announced later this week.
The winning team from each regional advances to Texas A&M University in College Station for the NCAA Round of 16 and beyond. The men’s tournament begins Thursday, May 14 and the women’s tournament begins Friday, May 15.
Coach Andy Jackson’s men, ranked 10th nationally with a 17-8 record, received the 10th seed in the tournament. The Gators will meet Marist (12-3) while Columbia (16-5) plays Miami (Fla.) (14-8). The winners meet the following day for a berth at Texas A&M.
“Ultimately, a team is remembered for how they finish the season,” Jackson said. “We need to be at our highest level next weekend. We know we have a great challenge ahead of us in Marist.”
It’s the 19th straight year Florida has received a team bid, and during the previous 18 seasons the Gators have advanced to the Round of 16. Florida reached the semifinals in 2000 and 2005. Since Jackson came aboard as coach in 2002, Florida has not missed getting through the first two rounds.
The Florida women, who are ranked 15th nationally with a 14-9 record, received the No. 15 seed and will face Southern Conference champion College of Charleston (24-4) in their first-round match on Saturday, May 9. The other first-round match will pit 18th-ranked Florida State (16-7) against No. 33 Auburn (11-12). The winners meet Sunday, May 10 for a berth in the Round of 16 at College Station.
Florida is making its 26th appearance in the 27 years of the NCAA Tournament (missing in 1986) and has been a first- and second-round host since 1999. The Gators won NCAA titles in 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2003 and have been semifinalists 18 of the last 21 years.
“It’s been an up-and-down year by our standards,” women’s coach Roland Thornqvist said. “We have our hands full with three very, very talented teams. We will not look at anything beyond that (College of Charleston) match.”
It will be the first ever meeting between Florida and College of Charleston, ranked No. 68. Florida lost to Florida State for the first time after 48 straight victories in the series, a 5-2 setback in Tallahassee on Feb. 28. Florida beat Auburn, 4-3, in Gainesville.
The participants in the NCAA singles and doubles competitions will be announced Wednesday.
Tickets are now on sale. An all-session pass is $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, students and children under 17. Single-day tickets are $5 and $3, respectively and tickets for Sunday are $3.
NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT
At Linder Stadium, Ring Tennis Complex, Gainesville
Times to be determined
Friday, May 8 first round
Columbia (16-5) vs. Miami (Fla.) (14-8)
Marist (12-3) vs. Florida (17-8)
Saturday, May 9 second round
Columbia-Miami (Fla.) winner vs. Marist-Florida winner
Winning team advances to NCAA Round of 16 at Texas A&M, College Station, Texas, on May 14.
NCAA WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT
At Linder Stadium, Ring Tennis Complex, Gainesville
Times to be determined
Saturday, May 9 first round
Auburn (11-12) vs. Florida State (16-7)
College of Charleston (24-4) vs. Florida (14-9)
Sunday, May 10 second round
Auburn-Florida State winner vs. College of Charleston-Florida winner
Winning team advances to NCAA Round of 16 at Texas A&M, College Station, Texas, on May 15.