RCW: Sport Spotlight 4.33 (Tennis)

The matchups are in and we’re headed to Malibu, California to face Denver in the first round of the NCAA tournament! #KUtennis pic.twitter.com/rSacAODqTE

— Kansas Tennis (@KansasTennis) May 1, 2018

 

salty 

For our third-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament we’re facing Denver Friday, May 11 at 12 p.m. CT!

A post shared by Kansas Tennis (@kansastennis) on May 1, 2018 at 2:49pm PDT

 

The NCAA Tournament and the Kansas tennis program have been synonymous with one another since the arrival of head coach Todd Chapman in 2013. For 17 years, KU was absent from postseason play, but with three-straight at-large bids, the NCAA Tournament is commonplace on Mt. Oread.
 
As the team gathered last week for a public viewing of the selection show at the Jayhawk Tennis Center at Rock Chalk Park, the question was not whether or not, but rather where.
 
Looking to build off of their impressive 2017-18 season, the Jayhawks heard their name called only eight minutes into the selection show.  Kansas (15-6) will face off with Denver (19-4) in a neutral-site match at the Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center at Pepperdine Friday at 12 p.m., CT in Malibu, California.
 
Although the NCAA Tournament has become an expectation for the Jayhawks, they have not seen the success they have hoped for. Due to not being able to field a full lineup, KU fell in its first two NCAA matches over the past two appearances. 
 
LAST TWO NCAA APPEARANCES:
The 2017 postseason saw No. 34 Kansas and No. 32 Notre Dame competing in the first round of the tournament. Short a player, KU had to forfeit a doubles and singles match and fell behind, 2-0. Ultimately, Kansas lost to Notre Dame, 4-3, ending its run in the tournament.
 
Similarly, in 2016, KU had to forfeit a doubles and singles match due to illness. No. 74 UC Santa Barbara claimed the doubles point over No. 34 Kansas and led, 2-0, early in the match. The Jayhawks could not overcome the Gauchos, dropping the match, 4-3.