UO earns its first NCAA Championship bid since 2004

EUGENE, Ore. -- The Oregon men’s tennis team received an at-large bid to the big dance and earned its first NCAA Championship appearance since 2004, the NCAA announced Tuesday. After making its first-ever trip to the Pac-12 Championship semifinals last weekend, the Ducks’ (17-9) banner season will live on as part of the field of 64 for the NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championship.

Head coach Nils Schyllander and the Ducks drew the No. 3 seed in the Athens, Ga., regional and will meet second-seeded North Carolina State (17-9) in the first round. The match will begin at 7 a.m. (PT) on Saturday, May 10, on the Henry Field Courts at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex on the campus of the University of Georgia. The winner will move on to the round of 32 to face either hosts and top-seeded Georgia (16-7) or fourth-seeded Jacksonville State (17-7). The second round match will begin at 10 a.m. (PT) on Sunday, May 11.

In the midst of its most winningest three-year stretch since 1994-96, UO will make its fourth all-time NCAA appearance. The Ducks previously advanced to the NCAA Championship in 2004, 2000 and 1998. This is Oregon’s first NCAA bid in the Schyllander era.

“With everything that this team has been through the past year, it feels like it came to a full circle today,” said Schyllander. “It was really important to accomplish this goal, and we’re thrilled and ready to go after it. Our guys showed character at the Pac-12 Championship and they undoubtedly deserved this opportunity.”

The top 16 seeds will host the first and second round matches. From there, 10th-ranked Georgia will host the remainder of the NCAA Championship in Athens. Live scoring and live video will be available for all matches at Georgiadogs.com. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and youth.

UO’s first round opponent, the No. 26 Wolfpack, will be making their third consecutive NCAA Championship appearance. Coached by Jon Choboy, North Carolina State posted a 17-9 record this season. The Ducks and Wolfpack have one opponent in common this season in Duke, which resulted in losses for both teams.

The Ducks’ NCAA appearance adds to an already impressive list of accolades the team has achieved this season. UO recorded its first and second-ever wins at the Pac-12 Championship in upset-fashion to reach the semifinals for the first time in program history. Oregon also earned its first-ever top 25 national ranking on March 22. Oregon’s list of notable wins also includes; taking two matches over rivals Washington, beating Stanford for the second-time in program history, snapping Drake’s 39-match home win streak and defeating No. 15 Boise State, the highest ranked foe UO has ever defeated.

Oregon has an 82-41 (.667) record in singles this spring and are led in wins by senior Robin Cambier (23-10), freshman Jayson Amos (23-5), sophomore Kevin Farin (18-12), junior Daniel Sardu (16-10) and sophomore Daan Maasland (14-5). The Ducks have won the doubles point in 19-of-26 matches this year. Cambier and Farin (24-7) led the team, followed by Sardu and Amos (16-11), and Maasland and junior Joey Swaysland (12-5).

The Ducks have posted three consecutive seasons with at least 16 wins for the first time since 1980-82. Oregon is in pursuit of its first victory at the NCAA Championship in program history. The Pac-12 received six bids to the NCAA Championships from USC, UCLA, California, Stanford and Oregon.

NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championship

Athens, Ga., Regional

Saturday, May 10
MATCH 3 (Men): 7 a.m. – #2 NC State vs. #3 Oregon
MATCH 4 (Men): 10 a.m. – #1 Georgia vs. #4 Jacksonville State

Sunday, May 11
MATCH 6 (Men): 10 a.m. - Winner Match 3 vs. 4