Middlebury's Julian Wu, Middlebury's Maximus Kim, Middlebury's Noah Lewis, Middlebury's Andrew Mueller and Middlebury's Joe Mairs during a match against Hope International University at Bizantz Family Tennis Center on the Claremont McKenna College campus Sunday, March 17, 2024 in Claremont, California. (Photo/Josh Barber)

Photo/Josh Barber

#5 Men’s Tennis Set To Host NCAA Tournament Opening Rounds

5/6/2024 3:30:00 PM

The Panthers earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and will host the opening rounds.

The fifth-ranked Middlebury men's tennis team secured an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and will host the opening rounds of the national tournament from Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12. On Saturday, the Panthers will take on the winner of Friday's opening-round match between Messiah and Allegheny at 10:00 a.m. in the second round.

ABOUT MIDDLEBURY

Middlebury is making its 21st appearance in the NCAA Tournament and is seeking the program's fourth national championship, most recently lifting the trophy in 2018.
The Panthers have been strong in NCAA Tournament play, advancing to the national semifinals 13 times and for nine-consecutive seasons.
In NCAA Tournament action, Middlebury owns a 56-21 mark. Its 56 victories are the seventh-most in Division III history
The Panthers enter the weekend boasting a 17-4 overall record and concluded the regular season with a 9-1 mark in NESCAC play.
Middlebury has faced seven ranked opponents this season, winning four of those matches.

PANTHERS TO WATCH

In doubles, Robby Ward and Neel Epstein have held down the top spot and are ranked fifth nationally. The duo is 11-6 overall and own a 7-3 mark in NESCAC competition. Epstein and Ward have claimed eight of their last 10 matches.
Teaming up at #2 has been Hugh Hentschel and Thehan Wijemanne. The pair lead the Panthers with 15 doubles victories this season, including an 8-2 record in dual play, while producing a five-match winning streak earlier this spring.
Rounding out the doubles pairs are Julian Wu and Aidan Harris in the third slot. The two have played just seven matches together but are an unblemished 7-0 this spring.
In singles, Noah Laber has been a mainstay at #1, competing in 14 matches at the top spot. Laber has also featured in doubles action, boasting an 8-1 mark in the top two places.
At #2, Wu has continued his prolific season and is currently ranked sixth in Division III in singles. The ITA Regional Champion has secured 24 wins this year and owns a 12-4 record during the spring, including nine triumphs in the second slot. Through two seasons, Wu has won an astonishing 49 individual victories.
Ward has battled throughout the top-three slots this season, amassing an 11-5 record. The senior was 7-3 in NESCAC action and won the most matches (six) at #3.
Playing in the middle of the lineup, Epstein has been superb this year. The junior has earned 18 individual wins, with 15 coming during dual play. Epstein was riding a 15-match winning streak prior to the NESCAC Semifinals and was undefeated (9-0) in regular-season conference play. The Panther also paces the squad with 55 career triumphs.
Harris enters NCAA Tournament play riding an eight-match winning streak and holds a 15-2 mark in individual action. The senior was 9-1 against NESCAC foes and was unbeaten (5-0) at #5.
In his initial campaign, Noah Lewis has held down the sixth slot for Middlebury. The rookie has picked up 14 singles victories and is 10-1 in the spring, with four of his wins coming at #6.

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

All five squads secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament via automatic bids. Messiah won the MAC Commonwealth Title, Allegheny claimed the President's Athletic Conference Championship, #24 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) earned the NEWMAC crown, while Bridgewater State and #10 Trinity (Texas) were the champions of the Little East and Southern Collegiate Athletic Conferences, respectively.
Trinity enters the weekend with a 16-8 overall record. The Tigers are currently riding a seven-match winning streak and have faced 10 ranked opponents this year. Trinity is appearing in its 30th NCAA Tournament and has amassed 44 victories and one title during that span. Jared Perry leads the way for the Tigers, playing the entire season at #1 and is ranked 24th in the nation in singles.
MIT comes into NCAA Tournament play with a 18-3 mark and has won nine-straight. The Engineers are competing in their 24th national tournament and 15th in a row. Kalias Kahler has been MIT's top player, boasting a 10-4 record in the top spot of the lineup and sitting at #21 in the national singles rankings.
Allegheny has recorded a 15-5 record this season and is making just its second appearance on the national stage after qualifying for the first time a season ago. The Gators have claimed 10-consecutive victories, including six by 9-0 scorelines. At #1, Anton Hedlund is 20-5 overall, including a 17-2 mark in dual play and has won 15-straight contests.
Bridgewater State owns a 9-4 record and is making its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament following its first Little East Conference Title since 2006.
Rounding out the regional bracket is Messiah. The Falcons concluded the regular season with a 9-8 overall mark, but rattled off eight-straight wins to earn their place in the NCAA Tournament. Messiah is making its seventh appearance in the national tournament and first since 2017.

SERIES HISTORY

Middlebury and Allegheny have played just once before, in 1999, with the Panthers earning a 5-2 triumph.
Middlebury and MIT have met five times, with the Panthers winning each matchups. The squads have played three times in the NCAA Tournament, most recently in 2019.
Trinity and Middlebury have squared off eight times, with the Panthers emerging victorious on seven occasions. The squads have played three times in the national tournament, with Middlebury holding a slight 2-1 edge. Most recently, the teams met in 2017, a 7-2 win for the Panthers.
If Middlebury faces Messiah or Bridgewater State, it would be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Schedule
- Friday, May 10 (First Round)
  - Allegheny vs. Messiah – 10:00 a.m.
  - #24 MIT vs. Bridgewater St. – 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 11 (Second Round)
  - #5 Middlebury vs. Winner of Allegheny vs. Messiah – 10:00 a.m.
  - #10 Trinity (Texas) vs. Winner of MIT vs. Bridgewater St. – 2:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 12 (Regional Final)
  - Second Round Winners – 12:00 p.m.
Tournament Central

The Regional Champion advances to the final site of competition hosted on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis. Quarterfinal rounds begin on Tuesday, May 21.

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