Women's Tennis Ready For NCAA Championships

OXFORD, Miss. It’s been a little hectic for the No. 21 nationally ranked Ole Miss women’s tennis team this week, but that’s fine by them.  They are wrapping up final exams and preparing for their NCAA first round match-up against Denver.

The Rebels and Pioneers will meet at 10 a.m., Friday at the Bill Moore Tennis Center.  The winner will face the winner of the Georgia Tech/Jackson State match Saturday at 1 p.m. with the winner of that match advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in College Station, Texas.

“After the SEC Tournament we took a couple of days off and then got back to work and had a great week of practice last week,” head coach Mark Beyers said.   “We got a lot of work done last week, and now we’re just trying to maintain that.  With exams, it’s been a little hectic, so we’re mainly doing individual work.  They’re excited about the NCAA Championships.  Their level of enthusiasm in practice has just been phenomenal.”

Ole Miss is making its 12^th NCAA appearance and first since 2005.  The Rebels have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen six times. 

The Rebels ended the regular season winning four of their last six, including advancing to the SEC Tournament semifinals.  They are led by All-SEC performers Kristi Boxx and Karen Nijssen.   The pair is ranked No. 16 in the nation in doubles, and Boxx is ranked No. 36 in singles.  Nijssen has won six in a row at No. 2 singles.

Denver, ranked No. 38 in the nation, is making its second consecutive and third overall NCAA appearance after earning an at-large berth.  Senior Mallory Voelker leads the Pioneers with a 20-1 singles mark.

“I’ve talked to some coaches that have played Denver.  The girl at one is 20-1, so obviously she can play.  They got beat in the finals of their conference (tournament), so they got an at-large bid.  That tells you something right there.  They’re a good team. It’s going to be a tough match,” Beyers said.

The Rebels have accomplished a lot this season, but they aren’t satisfied with just getting in to NCAAs.

“A lot of the goals that we set, we’ve met.  But then you try to set higher and loftier goals.  It’s not like we made the NCAAs so now we’re content.  We want to get to College Station and be out there with the guys in the Sweet Sixteen,” Beyers said.

Live scoring of all matches will be available by going to www.OleMissSports.com and clicking on the link in the calendar box.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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