Gamecocks to Host 2020 ITA Kick-Off Weekend
TEMPE, Ariz. – The South Carolina women’s tennis team is set to host its third-straight ITA Kick-Off Weekend at the Carolina Tennis Center from January 24 to 27, the ITA announced Wednesday.
The Gamecocks’ opponents for the 2020 weekend include: No. 35 Georgia Tech, No. 39 Wisconsin and No. 64 Purdue. Winners of the 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 matches will compete for a chance to play at the ITA National Indoor Championships.
Host sites for the ITA Kick-Off Weekend were determined using the final 2018-19 Oracle ITA Collegiate Tennis Rankings. Carolina’s No. 5 ranking marks its highest final ranking in program history.
Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets went an even 13-13 during the 2018-19 season, including a mark of 7-7 in the ACC. In the regular season, Georgia Tech topped Carolina’s in-state rival Clemson, 4-3. The Yellow Jackets took a, 4-3, victory over No. 25 Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Championships. Following, Georgia Tech fell to No. 8 Vanderbilt, 4-0, bringing its season to a close.
South Carolina and Georgia Tech have only faced off eight times in the past, having the series tied, 4-4. The Yellow Jackets have won the past four matches against the Gamecocks with the last competition coming in a, 4-0, victory in 2016.
Wisconsin
At the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, the Badgers had tallied an overall record of 18-6 and a Big Ten mark of 9-2. Wisconsin’s nine conference wins was the most since 2002. The Badgers also had their best finish in the Big Ten, coming in at No. 2, since 2002. Their conference losses came against No. 21 Ohio State, 6-1, and No. 34 Illinois, 5-2. Wisconsin ended its season in the first round of the NCAA Championships, falling to No. 31 Syracuse, 4-2.
Overall, the Badgers lead the series between the two programs, 5-4, not having matched up since 1997.
Purdue
The Boilermakers put up a record of 11-13 and went 5-6 in the Big Ten. Seeing two SEC opponents during the 2018-19 season, Purdue first topped No. 12 Ole Miss, 4-3. Competing at No. 29 Tennessee, the Boilermakes dropped the match, 7-0.
Carolina leads the series with the Boilermakers, 2-1, losing the last battle against Purdue, 4-3, in 2013.
Continue to check back with gamecocksonline.com for more updates or follow the team on social media (@GamecockWTennis).
