The University of Mississippi Athletics
Times Announced For NCAA Men's Tennis Finals
5/16/2005 | Men's Tennis
May 16, 2005
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The times have been announced for the 2005 NCAA Men's Tennis Championships "Sweet Sixteen," which begins Saturday in College Station, Texas. Ole Miss, seeded No. 3 overall, will face 14th-seeded Texas Tech at 9 a.m., at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center on the campus of Texas A&M University.
The Rebels defeated Jacksonville State 4-0 in the first round and Auburn 4-1 in the second round here this past weekend to advance to the "Sweet Sixteen" for the 10th time in the history of the program. At 23-3 heading into the round of 16, Ole Miss is looking to reach the quarterfinals for the seventh time.
Ole Miss has advanced to the quarterfinals six times, the final four three times and the final in 1995. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the 1995 team's run to the NCAA championship match.
The Rebels go into the final 16 with one of the deepest lineups in the nation led by No. 4 nationally-ranked Catalin Gard, who finished his career at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center Sunday with a 18-0 record on court one. Gard won his doubles match and then defeated Auburn's Gabor Zolton Pelva 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1 singles to lead the Rebels to the 4-1 win.
Freshman Erling Tveit picked up his 20th win of the year, and junior Juan Pablo Di Cesare clinched the match with a comeback win at No. 4 singles. He is now 19-3 in dual matches and 9-1 in three-setters.
Texas Tech (25-3) beat Army 4-0 in the first round and then handed Wake Forest a 4-1 loss to reach the round of 16 for the first time in their history. The Red Raiders are coached by this year's Big 12 Coach of the Year, Tim Siegel. Texas Tech is led by sophomore Radek Nijaki, who is ranked No. 20 in the nation with a 12-4 record at No. 1 singles.
