Arkansas? Strode Accepted into NCAA Singles Championship

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas sophomore Blake Strode has been accepted into the 2007 NCAA Tennis Singles Championship, it was announced by the NCAA on Wednesday. Strode and doubles partner Colin Mascall have also been named the fourth alternate team in the NCAA Tennis Doubles Championship.

The NCAA Tennis Singles and Doubles Championships will take place in Athens, Ga., on the campus of the University of Georgia. The singles and doubles competition will be conducted May 23-28 at Dan Magill Tennis Complex.

Strode is ranked 44th in the latest FILA/ITA rankings. He posted a season record of 26-10 and has played strictly at No. 1 singles for the Razorbacks this spring, sporting a 17-7 dual-match record and a 7-4 mark in SEC play. Strode is 9-6 against ranked opponents and finished the regular season with six straight wins, the last five coming against ranked foes. Against the top 50, he has posted a record 5-4.

“I’m so proud of Blake,” head coach Robert Cox said. “It’s not a surprise that he has made the tournament. Having gone 7-4 at No. 1 singles in the SEC is a huge achievement. It’s even more respectable because he’s only a sophomore. He sure does deserve this.”

Currently ranked No. 36 in the FILA/ITA poll, Mascall and Strode played at No. 1 doubles throughout the season. The duo posted records of 19-9 overall, 15-8 in dual matches and 6-6 in the SEC.

“I hope Blake and Colin can sneak into the doubles championship,” Cox said. “They played really good doubles all season and I hope they get a chance. They’ll carry that Arkansas flag proudly and I hope they’ll go deep in to the tournament.”

For a complete listing of teams and individuals accepted into the NCAA Tennis Championships, visit www.ncaasports.com or www.georgiadogs.com.