LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech picked up another first on Tuesday, as the Lady Raiders earned the No. 16 seed in the NCAA Women's Tennis Championships and will serve as one of 16 host sites for the first two rounds of the event.
The Lady Raiders (19-6) will host Duke (14-9), Ole Miss (16-13) and College of Charleston (20-8) May 11-12 at the McLeod Tennis Center of the campus of Texas Tech University.
Duke will face Ole Miss and Texas Tech will take on College of Charleston in the first round on Saturday, May 11. The two winners will meet on Sunday, May 12, for the right to advance to Sweet Sixteen in Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
"This is an incredibly special honor for our players and our program," said Lady Raider head coach Todd Petty. "We knew there was going to be a 50-50 chance that we might host, but when you see your name come up on the screen, there is nothing like it."
This is Texas Tech's second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Championships. Last season, the Lady Raiders traveled to Coral Gables, Fla. The Lady Raiders fell to Utah in the first round.
"Last year was a learning experience for us," added Petty. "It is something that we can build on. We have the same group back from last year with a few additions and I think that bodes well for us. I think the experience factor is on our side and playing at home."
Texas Tech's senior class of Sandra Dynka, Caroline Starck and Elizabeth Ullathorne are the winningest senior class in program history. They have produced 67 wins, two Big 12 regular season titles and now two trips to the NCAA Championships. It is the first two trips in school history.
The Lady Raiders are the only Big 12 team hosting the first two rounds of the event. Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas are also in the field.
NCAA Championships
Lubbock, Texas • May 11-12
First Round • Saturday, May 11
Match 1 - Duke (14-9) vs. Ole Miss (16-13), 11 a.m. CT
Match 2 - (16) Texas Tech (19-6) vs. College of Charleston (20-8), Not before 2 p.m. CT
Second Round • Sunday, May 12
Match 3 - Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 1 p.m. CT
