The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Netters Ready To Continue Quest For National Championship
5/19/2005 | Men's Tennis
May 19, 2005
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -
The Ole Miss men's tennis team, seeded No. 3 overall in the NCAA Championships, continues its quest for a national championship Saturday when they face 14th-seeded Texas Tech in the "Sweet Sixteen." The two teams will face off at 9 a.m. here on the Stadium Courts at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center.
The Rebels (23-3) defeated Jacksonville State (4-0) and Auburn (4-1) last weekend in Oxford in the NCAA Regionals to advance to the round of 16 for the 10th time. Texas Tech beat Army and Wake Forest to reach the Final 16 for the first time ever.
"We are excited to be in the "Sweet Sixteen" for the 10th time," head coach Billy Chadwick said. "The guys worked really hard all year to get here, and now that we are here, we are hoping to stay awhile. Texas Tech is solid at the top of their lineup, and we know it will be a test. Every team in the final 16 is good or they wouldn't be here."
Ole Miss, 2005 SEC Champions, looks to advance to the quarterfinals for the seventh time in its history. The Rebels have already posted the most wins since the 1997 team won a program best 25.
The Rebels are led by senior All-American Catalin Gard, who comes in ranked No. 4 in the nation with a 22-3 record at No.1 singles. Freshman Erling Tveit boasts a 19-3 dual match record, 15-2 at No. 3 singles. Junior Juan Pablo Di Cesare has been the anchor of the team, posting a 19-2 dual match record this season.
In college tennis winning the doubles point has been the key in so many matches, and the Rebels are hoping to take the opening point against Texas Tech. Ole Miss sports an 18-0 record this season when they win the doubles point and are 61-3 when winning the opening point dating back to the 2002 season.
"We feel like we have a very good lineup from top to bottom," Chadwick said. "If we can get that first point, it definitely gives us the momentum. Our record indicates how successful we've been the last several years when we take the doubles."
Texas Tech (25-3) ended the regular season ranked No. 15 and qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1999. This is their first ever "Sweet Sixteen" appearance. The Red Raiders are coached by the 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.
Ole Miss and Texas Tech will be meeting for the first time on Saturday. The winner of that match will face the winner of the LSU/Georgia match Sunday at 1 p.m. To follow the Rebels throughout the finals, go to www.olemisssports.com and click on the NCAA Tournament Central link.
