May 22, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina sophomores Chip Cox and Nick Jones make their NCAA Men’s Tennis Doubles Championship debut on Thu., May 24. In the draws announced today, the Gamecocks’ top duo, ranked 23rd in the nation, will take on the country’s 16th-ranked tandem of Henrique Cunha and Chris Mengel of Duke at Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Cox and Jones carry a 7-9 overall record into the event, including a 5-3 mark against ranked opponents. Taking over the Gamecocks’ top spot in the order three matches into the SEC season, the duo went 7-7 in dual matches, highlighted by a 6-3 showing in league play. Cox and Jones closed the regular season with a win over Florida’s top team, which was then ranked ninth in the nation. South Carolina’s sophomores are 3-1 against opponents ranked in the nation’s top 20.

Cunha and Mengel are 17-9 on the season with five wins against ranked doubles teams. It will be Cunha’s third appearance in the NCAA Doubles Championships, but his first with Mengel. Cunha advanced to the quarterfinals the last two seasons.

Cox and Jones represent South Carolina’s eighth entry in the history of the NCAA Doubles Championship. The last Gamecock team to make the event was Pedro Campos and Diego Cubas in 2010. That team reached the round of 16, narrowly missing a spot in the quarterfinals and All-America status.

Match times have not yet been determined. All matches will have live scoring available at: http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-tennis/spec-rel/ncaa-2012.html.