Women’s Tennis Earns 31st Consecutive NCAA Tournament Berth

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s tennis has earned a bid to its 31st consecutive NCAA Tournament, announced at the selection show on Monday evening. The No. 31 Gamecocks will face Maryland in the first round at the University of North Carolina.

No. 6 North Carolina will host South Carolina, Maryland and Charleston Southern for the first and second round matches on May 1 and 2 in Chapel Hill, N.C.

South Carolina and Maryland will meet in the first match on Friday at 1 p.m., with North Carolina following at 4 p.m. against Charleston Southern.

The Gamecocks are entering NCAAs with a 12-12 overall record and 5-10 conference standing. South Carolina defeated four ranked teams, highlighted by a 4-1 takedown of then-No. 15 Tennessee when the Gamecocks were No. 33. South Carolina fell in the first round of the SEC Tournament to Arkansas, 3-2.

Kevin Epley has led the Gamecocks to NCAAs for all 14 seasons as the program’s head coach. This marks the 34th NCAA Tournament in program history.

The Gamecocks currently have two ranked singles players and one ranked doubles duo. Kaitlyn Carnicella is No. 37 while Helena Buchwald is No. 42. In doubles, the pair of Buchwald and Lauren Friedman sits at No. 13. They hit a season-high ranking of No. 9. Carnicella earned her second consecutive All-SEC Second Team honors.

Schedule

Friday, May 1

South Carolina vs. Maryland – 1 p.m.

North Carolina vs. Charleston Southern – 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 2

Winner of match 1 vs. winner of match 2 – 4 p.m.

For all the latest South Carolina women’s tennis information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockWTennis).