ABILENE -- The ACU men's and women's tennis teams will host their respective NCAA Division II South Central Region championship tournament next week at the Eager Tennis Center.
Each tournament will be Thursday, May 6, and Friday, May 7, with the men hosting a three-team tournament and the women hosting a four-team field.
On the women's side, ACU enters the tournament at 23-7 overall and ranked No. 7 in the country and No. 1 in the region. The Wildcats will play No. 4 seed Washburn (14-5) at 3:30 p.m. in Thursday's second semifinal.
The other women's semifinal will be played at 1 p.m. between Central Oklahoma (15-6) and Incarnate Word (12-2). The semifinal winners will meet Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the championship match for the right to advance to the NCAA Division II national tournament, which will be played May 12-15 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
On the men's side, the Wildcats enter as the No. 2 team in the region but as the host of one of two South Central Region tournaments (St. Edward's is hosting the other).
Thursday's only semifinal match will be played at 10 a.m. between Incarnate Word (11-2) and Washburn (13-5). ACU (16-11) will receive a bye into the championship match, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday. The winner of the men's tournament also earns an automatic bid to the national tournament in Florida.
Both ACU teams are coming off impressive displays last weekend at the Lone Star Conference tournament in Edmond, Okla., where they each captured conference titles.
The ACU women lost just one match in rolling to a 3-0 record and its third straight title and 22nd overall LSC title. The Wildcats will be trying to win their 23rd regional tennis title and make their 15th straight appearance in the national tournament.
The ACU men also cruised to two victories last week, beating East Central 5-1 in the semifinals and then manhandling Cameron, 5-0, in the championship round. The win was ACU's second straight title and 11th overall. The Wildcats will try to win their 12th regional title and make their fourth straight appearance in the national tournament.
NCAA DIVISION II SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
Women's Tournament
Thursday, May 6
Semifinals
Central Oklahoma (15-6) vs. Incarnate Word (12-2), 1 p.m.
Abilene Christian (23-7) vs. Washburn (14-5), 3:30 p.m.
Friday, May 7
Championship
Semifinal winners, 12:30 p.m.
Men's Tournament
Thursday, May 6
Incarnate Word (11-2) vs. Washburn (13-5), 10 a.m.
Friday, May 7
UIW-Washburn winner vs. Abilene Christian (16-11), 10 a.m.
