NCAA Tournament Tuesdays: 2006 Men's Tennis

2006 Men’s Tennis
The 2006 season was a season to remember, marked by unbelievable achievements, individually and as a team. The Hurricanes recorded an 18-4 regular season, upsetting Virginia and UNC on their journey to the NCAA Tournament. Ranked ninth in the nation, the men’s tennis team was invited to the NCAA Tournament after missing out on it the previous two seasons.

Missing out on the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Tournament, the 2006 men’s tennis team now wanted to compete and win the tournament more than ever. In the first round of tournament play, the Hurricanes cruised past Manhattan, winning 4-0. In the second round, Miami crushed No. 41 Minnesota with a 4-0 victory, advancing to the Round of 16. The Hurricanes season came to an end in the Round of 16 versus No. 8 Virginia in a 4-0 loss.

Though suffering a heartbreaking loss in the Round of 16, the Canes accomplished many things during and after the season. Luigi D’Agord was recognized as the ACC Player of the Year, recording an unbelievable 36-5 singles record, as well as a 24-8 doubles record. Daniel Vallverdu achieved the ACC Freshman of the Year award, putting together 17 singles wins and a 21-6 doubles record. In his 2^nd season as head coach of the men’s tennis team, Mario Rincon became the ACC Coach of the Year after coaching an incredible year of 20 wins and 5 losses, as well as guiding the Canes to the NCAA Tournament and gaining a ranking of eleven by the end of the season.

During the 2006 season, Mario Rincon coached the ‘Canes to a 20-win season and a Round of 16 finish in the NCAA Tournament. Rincon was recognized as ACC Coach of the Year.

Rincon was a standout tennis player; he was recognized as an NCAA All- American in college, spent nine years on the ATP tour, as well as five years on the Japanese pro tour. Rincon took over the Miami men’s tennis program as head coach in 2004, leading the Hurricanes to four NCAA Tournament berths since then.