THE FLATS – The fourth-ranked Georgia Tech women’s tennis team will make its 19th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance this season after receiving an at-large selection to the field of 64 Tuesday afternoon. For the second consecutive season, Tech will host one of 16 regionals across the country, welcoming Eastern Kentucky, Auburn and Winthrop, May 11-12.
Tech will host first and second rounds at the Ken Byers Tennis Complex. The Jackets (21-5, 12-2 ACC) open the tournament facing Eastern Kentucky. Match times on Friday will be noon and 3 p.m. with Saturday’s match slated for 1 p.m.
Eastern Kentucky (16-8, 9-0 OVC) captured the Ohio Valley Conference title after posting a perfect conference record in the 2018 season. The Colonels have won six OVC titles in program history. This will mark the first meeting in program history between Georgia Tech and Eastern Kentucky.
Also coming to Atlanta will be the Auburn Tigers (20-10, 8-5 SEC) and the Winthrop Eagles (19-5, 8-0 Big South). Auburn fell in the second round of the SEC Tournament to Arkansas after earning the No. 6 seed in the postseason tournament. Tech leads the all-time series against Auburn, 14-10. Winthrop won its 20th Big South Championship this season, securing an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Winthrop earned the top seed in the Big South Championship after posting an unblemished regular season record. Tech and Winthrop have met just once in program history, back in 2005.
Auburn and Winthrop will face each other on Friday, May 11 at noon followed by Tech and Eastern Kentucky at 3 p.m. The winners of both matches will meet on Saturday, May 12 at 1 p.m. for a spot in the Round of 16.
First- and second-round competition takes place May 11-12 at select campuses and each regional features four teams playing in a single-elimination format. The winner of each site advances to the Wake Forest Tennis Complex in Winston-Salem, N.C., where 16 teams will compete for the national championship, May 17-22.
Georgia Tech enters the NCAA Tournament with a 21-5 overall record after reaching an ACC Championship semifinal match last week in Cary, N.C. This marks the ninth time Tech has hosted first and second rounds. Last season, Tech reached the Sweet 16 before falling to Oklahoma State in Athens, Ga.
Admission to the regional will be free for spectators. Parking will be available for $5 in the Family Housing Deck located on 10th street.
The NCAA singles and doubles selection announcement will be announced on Wednesday, May 2 on NCAA.com.
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