ROCKY MOUNT, NC - The NC Wesleyan men's and women's tennis teams, coached by Albie Brice and assistant Matt Rowe, recently both won the 2021 USA South Championships with the men earning their 12th straight title and the women earning their 3rd straight championship.
As a reward for their stellar seasons, the NCAA allowed NC Wesleyan to host the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounds of the 2021 NCAA DIII men's and women's national championships in the Slick Family Tennis Center at the Vernon T. Bradley Jr. Tennis Complex and in the newly minted Indoor Sports and Education Facility (ISEF) on campus.
In May, the NCAA tournament regionals came to NC Wesleyan for the first time in college history, due in large part to the addition of the ISEF to the tennis complex. The new facility features four indoor tennis courts in addition to a bevy of additional features including squash courts, sports performance facilities, exercise science classrooms and space for expansion. The entire facility now features the availability of 16 total courts, which was a key component of landing the tournament.
"It was really special to see the community's investment into the college paying off in a big way just as the facility opens," NC Wesleyan athletic director Aaron Denton shared back in May. "Anonymous donors, along with contributions and partnerships with Nash County Travel and Tourism, provided an opportunity for the college to build this facility that will impact many far beyond the serpentine walls of our campus. It was a true pleasure to see coach Albie Brice's efforts putting this facility together over the last few years pay off with our teams hosting."
WOMEN
The 2021 USA South Tournament Champion NC Wesleyan College women's tennis team finished the year 10-7 and ranked #39 nationally by the ITA, their first ever national ranking for the women's program. They also finished the year ranked #10 in the Atlantic South Region. The Lady Bishops' undefeated USA South regular season title was their second straight while they have won the tournament three straight years. They also made their 3rd consecutive trip to the Round of 32 of the NCAA tournament.
Individually, Freshman Stefanie Wilske (11-5) led the team all year as the #1 player on the team and finished her season ranked #41 nationally and 13th in the region. While she then teamed with fellow freshman Elisa Mariotti (10-3) to finish the year ranked 12th in the Atlantic South Region in doubles (10-5). Wilske also was named USA South First team All-Conference and all-tournament team as well as Rookie of the Year. Senior teammate Giulia Zanetti (9-6) was named first team all-conference and all-tournament team as well.
Academically, four of the eight Lady Bishops on the roster were selected to the USA South Academic All-Conference team for having a GPA of 3.3 or higher in each semester. The 2020-21 team also had a career average GPA of 3.3 while the average term was 3.2. They also had three ladies receive the President's Honor Award and three named to the President's honor list.
The women are expected to return at least five from last year's team and possibly a sixth as well as bringing in three recruits.