Northwestern
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Mississippi State
Northwestern Opens NCAA Tournament Play Against Mississippi State
5/12/2017 10:32:00 AM | Women's Tennis
| NORTHWESTERN WOMEN'S TENNIS: GAME DAY INFORMATION | |||||
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME | LOCATION | VIDEO | LIVE STATS |
| Sat., May 13 | Mississippi State | 10 a.m. CT | Atlanta, Ga. | ramblinwreck.com | ramblinwreck.com |
| Sun., May 14 (if win 5/13) |
Georgia Tech or Alabama State | 1 p.m. CT | Atlanta, Ga. | ramblinwreck.com | ramblinwreck.com |
| Social: Twitter (@NUWildcatTennis and @NU_SportsLIVE) | Instagram (@nuwildcattennis) | Facebook Tournament Central |
|||||
WATCH: Coach Pollard Preview | E. Larner
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's women's tennis team makes its 28th NCAA tournament appearance, including 19th consecutive, Saturday when it takes on 18th-ranked Mississippi State in Atlanta, Georgia.
The team square off at 10 a.m. Central time with the winner taking on the victor of Saturday's second match between eighth-ranked Georgia Tech and Alabama State at 1 p.m. Sunday with a berth in the round of 16 on the line.
Ranked No. 39, the Wildcats have appeared in the NCAA tournament each year that head coach Claire Pollard has been at the helm in Evanston. The Wildcats have advanced to at least the Round of 16 12 times during the current stretch. NU has played in the national quarterfinals three times.
Pollard will be squaring off against her alma mater for the first time. She paired with former NU associate head coach Jackie Holden in winning the 1989 NCAA Doubles Championship during her senior year in Starkville.
Northwestern and Mississippi State have faced each other just once previously with the Wildcats posting a 6-1 win during the 1990 season.
As is the norm, Northwestern has faced one of the toughest schedules in the nation to date. Eight of the team's nonconference opponents are either currently ranked in the top 25 or were at the time of their competition. Of the team's 11 losses, 10 have been against opponents currently ranked in the top 15. The Wildcats' only three losses over the last month have been to No. 4 Ohio State and No. 10 Michigan (twice).
Northwestern (14-11) is led by junior All-Big Ten selection Erin Larner who is ranked No. 82 in the nation in singles by the ITA. In doubles play, the team of Maddie Lipp and Alex Chatt boasts a No. 15 national ranking and has earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Doubles Championship for the second straight year. Lipp, who also earned All-Big Ten honors, has a No. 36 ranking when paired with Rheeya Doshi.
Mississippi State (15-8, 7-6 SEC) is paced by senior Jasmine Lee who ranks in the top 10 nationally in both singles in doubles. The senior is ranked seventh in singles and is No. 2 in doubles when paired with Lisa Marie Rioux. Madison Harrison also boasts a No. 113 singles ranking.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Players Mentioned
