Men's Tennis to Open NCAA Play in Austin

INDIANAPOLIS – The UCLA men's tennis team earned a berth into the NCAA Division I Championship tournament and will open play in Austin, Texas, the selection committee announced Monday. The selection extends the program's streak of NCAA qualifications to 44, a stretch that began when the tournament format was instituted in 1977.

The Texas Tennis Center hosts first- and second-round matches Saturday and Sunday. The Bruins (13-6) are set to open up against fellow at-large pick Northwestern (13-7), of the Big Ten, at 7 a.m., PT. Fourth-seeded and Big 12 at-large pick Texas (20-5) will meet Big Sky champion Northern Arizona (8-8) at 10 a.m. Winners will meet Saturday at 10 a.m. for a spot in the round of 16.

UCLA holds a 1-0 all-time record against Northwestern. The programs previously squared off to open NCAA tournament play in 1997. The host Bruins dealt the Wildcats a 4-0 loss.

The winner of each site advances to the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida, where the 16 teams will compete for the national championship May 17-28. The event will be hosted by the University of Central Florida and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.