UCF’s nationally ranked men’s and women’s tennis teams each clinched their spot in the NCAA Tournament, with the men’s team securing hosting rights for the first and second rounds on May 1–2 at the USTA National Campus.

UCF is the only university in the state of Florida to host a regional, and is one of just two schools in the state to see both its men’s and women’s team clinch spots in the premiere postseason tournament.

The No. 21 women’s team is looking to build off its back-to-back Big 12 Conference regular season championship campaign while the No. 15 men hope to keep their undefeated streak on their home court alive this season.

The semifinal and championship rounds will be held at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Georgia, May 16–17.

Outlook

The Knights will travel to Raleigh for their regional round matches, hosted by the tournament’s No. 8 national seed NC State.

UCF’s opening-round match against Navy is slated for Friday, May 1, at 2 p.m. at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center. If they advance, they will face the winner of the NC State vs. Morgan State match.

Outlook

Men’s tennis program secured its third consecutive at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, serving as a regional host school for the second season in a row at the USTA National Campus.

UCF will face South Carolina State on May 1 at 5 p.m. looking to advance to face the winner of the Stetson vs. Florida match.

UCF’s Tournament History

The UCF women’s team is making its 11^th postseason appearance in program history, and the seventh of head coach Bryan Koniecko’s 10-year tenure. Prior to his arrival in 2016, the program had made just four NCAA Tournament appearances.

The men secured their ninth all-time bid to the tournament as the No. 16 national seed, continuing the streak of making the postseason in all three seasons of Head Coach Lloyd Bruce-Burgess’ tenure, beginning in 2024. Last year’s squad made history, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time.

“It is essential to provide professional development opportunities for students pursuing a career in the tennis industry,” said Scott Schultz, USTA managing director. “We are proud to partner with UCF to ensure the development of the next generation of tennis industry leaders in the sport.”

Rosen College students who select the track will receive a strong academic foundation in hospitality management education and complete three paid internships in the tennis industry. USTA will provide specialized training in the sport synchronized with their internship experiences. Graduates will be well equipped for fulfilling careers as tennis teaching professionals, club managers, directors of tennis or other business roles associated with the industry.

has been named director of hospitality in sports and will oversee the PTM track. She previously developed Rosen College’s golf and club management curriculum and designed the first online education courses for the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals Division. She is also a former professional golfer and coach.

“Rosen College’s reputation for top-notch hospitality management education combined with USTA’s leadership in the sport will produce outstanding graduates ready to lead the tennis industry into the future,” said Fjelstul. “Our students will gain all the skills necessary for success and will benefit from access to the country’s leading tennis organization right in our backyard.”

The USTA’s new complex in Lake Nona is located on 63 acres and will feature more than 100 tennis courts, a tennis pro shop, fitness area, locker rooms, player lounge, cafeteria and offices. The target completion date is the fourth quarter of 2016. The site will house a collegiate tennis center capable of hosting a number of college events and will serve as the home for the ɫ����’s men’s and women’s varsity teams.

For more information about Rosen College’s Professional Tennis Management Track, visit hospitality.ucf.edu/tennis or contact Fjelstul at 407-903-8096 or Jill.Fjelstul@ucf.edu.

The award is presented annually to the college or university club tennis team that has demonstrated an overall level of sustained excellence, while also demonstrating a commitment to giving back to its local community.

“The ɫ���� is a perfect example of a model Tennis On Campus program,” said Glenn Arrington, national program manager, USTA Tennis On Campus.

The UCF team is a 100 percent self-financed club that has grown to more than 100 recreational and competitive players in 2010 — a 50 percent increase in the past year.

“UCF is also committed to enriching the lives not only of their team members but also of the local Central Florida community they serve,” Arrington said.

The ɫ���� club has developed strong ties with a number of noteworthy local charitable partners, including Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity, the Hunger Bank and Relay for Life. The team has participated in numerous local events, including the Thanksgiving donation of more than 200 cans of food to the Hunger Bank, and a program to teach tennis to young players at the Red Bug Tennis Facility in the Orlando area. The team also served as a catalyst to start the Florida Gulf Coast University Club club team.

“Choosing a winner of this award was a very difficult decision,” said Arrington, “because so many of our Tennis On Campus teams are not just great ambassadors for the game of tennis but also for their college or university, as well as their local communities.”

For more visit Tennis On Campus website at