The Lewis-Clark State College women’s tennis team was seeded at No. 14 and will face No. 19 University of Northwestern Ohio in the first round of the 2012 NAIA Women’s Tennis National Championships, according to the bracket released by the national office on Tuesday.
The two teams will square off on Tuesday, May 15 at 7 a.m., Pacific time, in Mobile, Ala. The 32nd annual event is hosted at the Mobile Tennis Center.
The 24-team field is comprised of 12 squads who earned an automatic berth by winning their respective conference/independent/unaffiliated group tournaments, 10 at-large selections, one who earned an automatic bid by way of a conference regular-season championship in Fresno Pacific (Calif.) and one host berth, which went to Spring Hill (Ala.). The 10 at-large selections were determined by the final NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll released Monday.
The single elimination, head-to-head tournament will commence with eight first-round matchups on May 15. The top-eight seeds received a first-round bye and will begin action on May 16. The event culminates with the championship final on May 19.
The single elimination, head-to-head tournament will commence with eight first-round matchups on May 15. The top-eight seeds received a first-round bye and will begin action on May 16. The event culminates with the championship final on May 19.
LCSC was ranked No. 14 in the final NAIA poll and received the No. 9 at-large bid. The Warriors, 7-14 on the year, are making their 18th appearance overall and first since 2010. It will be their 12th appearance at nationals since the NAIA moved to a team qualification format.
Northwestern Ohio, located in Lima, is making its first ever appearance at nationals. The Lady Racers earned an automatic bid after upsetting Davenport University and claiming the title at the NAIA national qualifying tournament in Lima. They are 16-9 and were ranked 26th in the final NAIA poll.
The winner of the first round match will move on to face third-seeded Embry-Riddle, ranked No. 3 in the final poll, at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16.
