INDIANAPOLIS, In. - The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has announced that NC Wesleyan will host the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounds of the 2021 NCAA DIII men's and women's national championship 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. The Bishop men and women recently captured the 2021 USA South Championship in the same venue, with the men earning their 12th straight title and the women earning their 3rd straight championship.
The NCAA tournament regionals come 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, which 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 is 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 in the appreciation for the support. "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's 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."
Play begins for the women's tournament Friday at 2 PM while the men will now start competition on Thursday at 2 pm. Both brackets feature five total teams including regional championship play concluding for the men on Saturday and for the women on Sunday.
The 2021 USA South Tournament Champion NC Wesleyan College Men's Tennis team (20-2), who haven't lost since February and are undefeated against D-3 competition, have advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 12th consecutive season, and will host the winner of Lancaster Bible College (Pa.) and Drew University (NJ) in second round action on Friday at 10 AM. LBC and Drew will now play Thursday at 2 pm in first round action from Rocky Mount.
The other side of the bracket traveling to Rocky Mount, will be Friday's second round match between Farmingdale St. University (NY) and Johns Hopkins (MD) with the winner advancing on to the regional final on Saturday from Rocky Mount. The winners will then advance to the Elite Eight in Chattanooga, TN from May 24-26.
FULL RELEASE, BRACKET AT NCAA.COM