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 while the men start competition on Thursday. Both brackets feature five total teams including regional championship play concluding for the women on Sunday and for the men on Saturday.
The 2021 USA South Tournament Champion NC Wesleyan College women's tennis team (10-6) has advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 3rd consecutive season, and will host Carnegie Mellon University in second round action on Saturday at 3 PM.
The other side of the bracket traveling to Rocky Mount will be Friday's 2 PM first round match between Wilkes University (Pa.) and Penn State-Harrisburg with the winner advancing on to face regional top seed Mary Washington University on Saturday in the second round at 3 PM. The two second-round winners will then play Sunday in regional final action from Rocky Mount with the winner advancing to the Elite Eight in Chattanooga, TN.
FULL RELEASE, BRACKET AT NCAA.COM