Men's Tennis Hosts NCAA Tournament First and Second Rounds
May 3, 2006
CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla. – Drawing the tournament’s overall No. 9 seed, the ninth-ranked University of Miami men’s tennis team will host the first and second rounds of the 2006 NCAA Tournament held May 13-14 as announced Wednesday by the NCAA Selection Committee. The draw marks the first time in school history UM has hosted an NCAA men’s tennis regional.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Also selected to compete at the NeilSchiffTennisCenter in the Miami regional are Manhattan, LSU and Minnesota. In first round action, the Hurricanes will face Manhattan Saturday, May 13 while LSU squares off with Minnesota. The winner of each first round match advances to Sunday’s second round.
Second year head coach Mario Rincon, who was recently named the 2006 ACC Coach of the Year, and the Hurricanes earned the ninth seed behind an overall record of 18-4 in dual matches this season. UM also wrapped up the regular season with a 9-2 record in ACC play, earning a share of the regular season title.
“Having the opportunity to host the first and second rounds is really exciting for this program,” said Rincon. “With a lot of hard work, our guys have put themselves in this position and we are really looking forward to the NCAA Tournament.”
After missing the NCAA Tournament the two previous seasons UM will make it’s 20 appearance at the tournament since a tournament format was adopted in 1977. During that stretch, Miami has advanced as far as the quarterfinals twice (1977, 90.)
Since the expansion of the tournament field in 1999 to a 64-team field beginning with 16, four-team regionals, Miami has earned an NCAA tournament berth six times. Highlighting that run was the 2001 team which reached the Round of 16.
Nine teams represent the Atlantic Coast Conference in the field of 64, with three teams drawing an overall seed. Fourth seeded Duke, who garnered the league’s automatic bid after winning the ACC Championship, is the highest seeded ACC team followed by No. 8 Virginia, No. 9 Miami. Also earning at large bids were Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, NC State, Clemson, North Carolina and FloridaState.
Following the first and second rounds, the winner of the Miami regional will advance to Round of 16 beginning May 20 at StanfordUniversity, who serves as the host for the remainder of the NCAA Tournament concluding with the championship match May 23.
Tickets to the first and second round matches are just $5 dollars for adults and $3 dollars for children and senior citizens. To purchase tickets or for additional information please contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES or visit online at hurricanesports.com.
