The University of Central Florida men’s tennis team will host South Carolina State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on May 1, with play scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m., according to an April 30 announcement.
This event marks the third time UCF has hosted an NCAA Regional and is the second consecutive year the program has been selected as a host site. The team advanced to its first-ever Sweet 16 last season after defeating Miami and Florida in a regional held at home.
This year’s regional will take place at the USTA National Campus, starting with No. 19 Florida facing Stetson at 2:00 p.m., followed by UCF’s match against South Carolina State. Winners from Friday’s matches will compete in the second round on Saturday evening for a chance to advance to the tournament’s round of sixteen.
UCF enters postseason play after finishing its regular season with a record of 19-5, including an undefeated home slate and seven sweeps on their home courts. All five losses occurred on road trips against ranked opponents, including three top-ten teams. The Knights also completed Big 12 conference play with a record of five wins and three losses.
South Carolina State arrives as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions for the sixth straight year under head coach Hardeep Judge, holding an overall record of thirteen wins and seven losses this season. Friday’s matchup will be the first meeting between UCF and South Carolina State.
Florida earned its third consecutive bid to the tournament under head coach Adam Steinberg, marking its thirty-fifth appearance overall. Stetson qualified following its first ASUN title win under head coach Travis Sandlant.
Looking ahead, only one team from this weekend’s matches at USTA National Campus will secure a spot in the next round of sixteen.
