The Bowdoin College men’s tennis team is gearing up for their eighth appearance in the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals this week, with hopes of securing their second-ever national championship. The Polar Bears, with a record of 21-6, will face off against defending national champion Case Western Reserve (27-5) in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, with the potential to advance to the semifinals on Wednesday and the national title match on Friday.
The championship schedule, set in Central Standard Time, includes quarterfinal matches on Tuesday featuring top teams like Chicago, Emory, and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, with the final match taking place on Friday at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center.
Bowdoin’s season has been marked by ups and downs, including a strong start with wins over nationally-ranked opponents, followed by a mid-season slump due to injuries. However, the team rallied in time for the NESCAC Tournament, where they claimed the conference title by defeating Amherst, Middlebury, and Tufts in succession. Player Tristan Bradley was named the NESCAC Player of the Year, while head coach Conor Smith received Coach of the Year honors.
In their previous encounters this season, Bowdoin has had success against potential championship opponents like Case Western, Middlebury, Tufts, and Claremont. Fans can follow the team’s journey and get complete recaps on GoUBears.com and Instagram at @goubears and @bowdoinmenstennis. With the stage set for an exciting week of tennis, all eyes will be on the Polar Bears as they aim for national glory.