University of Washington Team Page
SEATTLE - Washington men's tennis received the good news that it once again earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Tuesday's announcement of the 64-team field has the Huskies traveling to Columbus, Ohio to take on Notre Dame in the first round on May 10 at 7 a.m., PT.
"We've had an up and down season," said head coach Matt Anger. "It's a new season now and the guys are eager to get back out there."
Washington will play in the Columbus regional with Ohio State as the host. The fifth-seeded Buckeyes (31-2) will host Cleveland State (12-11) in the first round with the winner taking on the winner of UW (17-11) and Notre Dame (19-7) on May 11. The champion of the regional with advance to the NCAA Finals in Urbana, Ill., from May 16-27.
In the most recent ITA national poll, the Fighting Irish have a ranking of 31, while the Dawgs are 33. Ohio State is ranked fourth and is undefeated at home. Cleveland State was the champion of the Horizon League, but is unranked.
The Dawgs have now advanced to the tournament 19-straight times, including each and every season of Matt Anger's 19-year tenure as head coach. He has led Washington to five Sweet 16's and hopes to make it six with this year's Washington team.
The Dawgs enter the NCAA Tournament with a record of 17-11, including going 3-4 in Pac-12 play and advancing to the second round of the conference tournament. They are led by 14th-ranked Kyle McMorrow who is sitting on 98 career wins after going 21-3 in dual matches.
Notre Dame is coming off its ninth-straight BIG EAST title and will be making its 22nd appearance in the NCAA Tournament. They are led by Greg Andrews who is ranked 81st in the country. Washington is 3-1 all-time against Notre Dame, including defeating them once in the NCAA Tournament. In the second round of the 2001 tournament, the Dawgs defeated the Fighting Irish, 4-1, before losing to UCLA in the Round of 16.
"Notre Dame is a quality opponent under their longtime head coach Bobby Bayless," said Anger. "We know we are going to have a challenge on our hands."
