WILMINGTON, N.C. ? Riding the crest of outstanding regular seasons, UNC Wilmington's men and women have each earned first-round byes in this week's Colonial Athletic Association Tennis Championships in Norfolk, Va.
Pairings for the 26th annual event, hosted by Old Dominion, were announced by league officials late Monday. First-round matches will be played Thursday, followed by the quarterfinals on Friday, semifinals on Saturday and the championship round on Sunday.
UNCW's men will be the No. 1 seed and will take on the winner of the #8 Hofstra-#9 Drexel match at 11:30 a.m. Friday. UNCW's women secured the No. 5 seed and will battle #4 ODU at 9 a.m. on Friday.
Coach Mait DuBois and his men are the top seed for the first time after going a sparkling 16-5 during the dual match portion of the schedule, including a perfect 4-0 against CAA opponents. The Seahawks knocked off league foes Old Dominion, Delaware, Drexel and James Madison to nail down the top seed.
The highest the Seahawk men have previously been seeded is fourth, and this year's club enters the 10-team tournament ranked 71st in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll. In last year's tourney, the fourth-seeded Seahawks knocked off No. 5 Georgia State, 4-1, in the quarterfinals before succumbing to No. 1 VCU, 4-0.
“We're very pleased with the No. 1 seed,” said DuBois, UNCW's second-year coach. “Our team has been making a lot of strides, and it's nice for the hard work to be recognized. There are a number of talented teams in the CAA. I think it's anyone's tournament to win.”
On the women's side, Coach Jenny Garrity's club has also enjoyed an outstanding dual season, setting a school record with its 19-2 mark. Seniors Priscilla Roberts and Lauren Isenhour have provided strong leadership this spring. Overall, UNCW's women have compiled a 91-27 (.771) singles record and a sterling 47-9 (.839) doubles ledger.
“We're thrilled to get a first-round bye and look forward to working hard this week because we have a tough match against ODU in what is basically a road match,” said Garrity. The Seahawks dropped a 5-2 decision to the Monarchs back on Mar. 21 in Wilmington. “We were not completely healthy the first time we played them, and we will have a healthier squad this time. ODU has had a good year and presents numerous challenges for us and, hopefully, we'll be up to the task.
“ODU has tremendous facilities. They have a first-class venue that will provide an exciting weekend. I think both the men's and women's tournaments are going to be interesting. We congratulate our men's team for earning our school's first-ever No. 1 seed.”
The Seahawks, seeded sixth, blanked No. 11 Drexel, 4-0, in the first round last year before falling, 4-0, to No. 3 ODU in the quarterfinals at the Huntington Park Tennis Center in Newport News, Va.
