In a highly anticipated matchup, the 54th-ranked Old Dominion men’s tennis team is set to take on the 16th-ranked South Carolina team in the NCAA First Round on Friday, May 3 at 1 p.m. The match will be held at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center in Raleigh, N.C.
Old Dominion is coming off a strong performance in the Sun Belt Championship, where they defeated Georgia Southern 4-1. Freshman Connor van Schalkwyk has been a standout player for the Monarchs this spring, boasting a 19-4 record. The team is led by Head Coach Dominik Mueller, who expressed excitement about the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Tournament.
On the other side, South Carolina is coming off a loss in the SEC title match to 4th-ranked Kentucky. However, they have had impressive wins over strong opponents like Alabama, Mississippi State, and Tennessee to reach the final. Players like Toby Samuel and Casey Hoole have been key contributors to the Gamecocks’ success this season.
The two teams have a history of meeting in the NCAA Tournament, with South Carolina holding the advantage in prior matchups. In their last meeting in 2018, South Carolina emerged victorious with a 4-1 win.
With both teams featuring talented players and a strong competitive spirit, the upcoming match promises to be a thrilling showdown on the tennis court. Fans can catch the action live via stream and stay updated with live stats throughout the match.