Emory Men's Tennis Battles Middlebury In NCAA Quarterfinals

The Emory University men's tennis team, ranked No. 1 in the nation among Division III squads, awaits its NCAA Championships quarterfinal-round match against No. 10-ranked and defending national champion Middlebury College at approximately 3:00 p.m. (EDT), on Tuesday, May 24.  Matches are taking place at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center and Pauley Tennis Complex in Claremont, California. Claremont and Pomona-Pitzer will serve as the host schools.  The victor of the Emory-Middlebury clash advances to the semifinal round on Wednesday to play either No. 5 Washington University (17-5) or No. 6 Kenyon (19-3).   Other quarterfinal matches include Amherst vs. Trinity and Claremont-Mudd Scripps vs. Williams.

The Eagles of 12^th-year head coach John Browning have captured their last five outings take a record of 22-3 into the bout against the Panthers.  Emory has not lost to a Division III opponent this year and advanced to the quarters after capturing back-to-back 5-0 second- and third-round wins over Grove City and No. 12-ranked North Carolina Wesleyan, respectively, last weekend in Lexington, Va.  The Eagles have competed in the quarterfinals in each of Browning’s 12 years and brought home national titles in 2003 and 2006.

The Emory singles contingent is led by the trio of juniors Dillon Pottish and Chris Goodwin and senior Colin Egan.  They have combined for a record of 68-8 this spring and have not lost a singles contest to a Division III opponent.  Following the team competition, all three will take part in the singles portion of the Championships.  In doubles, the No. 1 tandem of Goodwin and junior Will Humphreys stands 28-5 overall this year, 21-4 during the spring, while Pottish and Egan have crafted a 20-3 slate at the No. 3 spot.   Goodwin and Humphreys will look to become the program’s first-ever national champs in doubles with the duo taking part in that portion of the event following the conclusion of the team competition.

The Middlebury men have won 10 of 12 matches entering the championship week, boasting an impressive 18-3 record. The Panthers have won 17 or more matches for eight straight seasons, advancing to the final four in seven of those eight seasons. Middlebury has national titles to its credit in 2004 and 2010.  

2011 NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship – Claremont/Pomona
Quarterfinals, Tuesday, May 24^th (all times eastern)
Middlebury (18-3) vs. Emory (22-3) – 3:00 p.m.
Washington-St. Louis (17-5) vs. Kenyon (19-3) – 3:00 p.m.
Amherst (33-1) vs. Trinity (Texas) (16-12) – 9:00 p.m.
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (27-3) vs. Williams (16-7) – 9:00 p.m.

Semifinals, Wednesday, May 25^th
Middlebury/Emory (22-3) winner vs. Washington-St. Louis/Kenyon winner – 6:00 p.m.
Amherst/Trinity (Texas) winner vs. Claremont/Williams –winner – 6:00 p.m.

NCAA Championship, Thursday, May 26^th
Third place match – 5:00 p.m.
NCAA Championship – 5:00 p.m.