Arkansas Tennis set for NCAA Tournament

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team is set for its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001 with a first round match against the University of Texas on Friday, May 12, at 3:00 p.m.

The Lady Razorbacks (10-10, 5-6) received their invitation to the Texas Christian University Regional on May 3. Accompanying Arkansas and Texas (17-10) in the regional are Mountain West Conference Champion TCU (21-6) and Conference USA Champion Rice (13-12).

The tournament selection marks Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty’s fifth as a head coach after four straight tournament appearances at Fresno State. Counting appearances as an assistant, he tacks on another five trips to the NCAA Tournament for a total of nine appearances prior to this year.

“This is a great opportunity for us,” Hegarty said. “We’re looking forward to the match.”

Arkansas earned its way to the national tournament by winning more Southeastern Conference matches this season than the last five years combined. The Lady’Backs upset South Carolina and Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina on their way to the 5-6 conference finish. In the SEC, Arkansas is one of eight conference teams to receive an invitation. The Lady’Backs and the Alabama Crimson Tide were the only selections from the Western Division. In Arkansas’ last visit to the tournament in 2001, the Lady’Backs took the first round match against a 36th ranked Miami team, 4-1, but lost in the second round to conference foe Florida, 4-0. For the first round of this year’s tournament, Arkansas drew a sizeable opponent. Texas is the reigning NCAA runner-up from 2005 while also finishing second at the ITA National Indoor Championships last October.

For more information on Arkansas tennis or any other Lady’Backs sport, please visit LADYBACKS.COM.