MADISON, Wis. – For the first time since 2010, the Wisconsin men's tennis team is back in the NCAA tournament. It was announced Tuesday that the No. 31 Badgers will take on San Diego in the opening round on the campus of Southern California on May 12.
Host USC (25-5) is seeded No. 4 overall and will take on the University of Denver (13-12) in the other match of UW's opening regional.
Wisconsin (17-7, 7-4) is making its first appearance in the NCAA championship since reaching the Sweet 16 in 2010. Overall, the Badgers are making their seventh appearance in program history.
"It's a great feeling," head coach
Danny Westerman said. "It's such a reward for these guys and all the work they've put in last year and this year. It's an exciting time for our program."
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UW's opening round opponent, San Diego (17-10), recently secured their fourth-consecutive WCC championship. The Badgers' May 12th contest with the Toreros will serve as a rematch from earlier this season when the Badgers pulled off a 5-2 win at San Diego on March 21. In that match, Wisconsin won the doubles point and claimed singles wins from junior
Chema Carranza, sophomore
Osgar O'Hoisin, freshman
Chase Colton and senior
John Zordani.
"We're excited, but I'm sure San Diego is too," Westerman added. "We played them earlier in the year and got the better of them that time, but it's a 2 vs. 3 seeding match-up and it's going to be very even. We've got 10 days to prepare and it will be really fun to go out there and play in Southern California."
The Badgers have tallied their most wins since 2010 and reached 17 wins for just the third time in the last 25 years. UW's .708 win percentage is on pace to match the fifth-highest mark in program history.
"We get to keep playing. It's a privilege to be playing at this time of year," Westerman said. "We're not satisfied. The goals are to go there and not just compete, but to hopefully win and give ourselves a shot. None of these guys have been there, so they'll be eyes wide open and we'll just try to soak it all in and have a great experience."
NCAA Men's First & Second Rounds (Marks Stadium | Los Angeles, Calif.)
Friday (May 12) - First Round (all times PT)
10 a.m. - Wisconsin (17-7) vs. San Diego (17-10)
1 p.m. - [4] USC (25-5) vs. Denver (13-12)
Saturday (May 13) - Second Round
1 p.m. - Friday winners
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