Wednesday, May 05, 2010

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – After winning its fourth straight Atlantic Sun Conference Championship two weeks ago, the ETSU men’s tennis team finally learned its first round match-up on Tuesday afternoon during the ESPNews selection show.

With players, coaches, staff members and fans watching inside the Humphrey Academic Center, ETSU (15-7) received the three-seed in the Knoxville Regional and will take on second-seeded Alabama (13-13) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Bucs, who enter the tournament ranked 65th in latest ITA poll, have won eight straight and 13 of their last 14 matches.

Head coach Yaser Zaatini’s squad will be making their eighth NCAA appearance all-time. ETSU’s lone victory in the Big Dance came two years ago against Notre Dame during first-round action – which was also the last time the Bucs earned a three-seed.

Alabama (13-13) enters the field after receiving an automatic at-large bid from the committee. The Crimson Tide will be making their 16th trip to the NCAA Tournament and seventh under head coach Billy Pate.

Overall, Alabama – who is currently ranked 32nd by the ITA – has defeated seven nationally ranked teams this season.

Despite two different bids into the field the Bucs and Crimson Tide have played against three common opponents this spring in Georgia, Mississippi State and Tennessee. ETSU went 0-3 against the three Southeastern Conference schools, while the Crimson Tide went 1-2.

Joining ETSU and Alabama in Knoxville is instate-rival and No. 2 overall-seed Tennessee (26-1) and Winthrop (13-11).