BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The No. 32 UC Santa Barbara Women's Tennis team is set to battle No. 43 Rice in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championship, with No. 2 Texas A&M as the host.
The Gauchos and the Owls will face off at 8 a.m. PT on Friday at the Mitchell Tennis Center. No. 2 Texas A&M goes against Quinnipiac in the opening round shortly thereafter with the winners of each match advancing to the second round on Saturday at 2 p.m. PT.
DETAILS
NCAA Tournament – First Round
Friday, May 2 | 8 a.m. PT
No. 32 UC Santa Barbara (16-8) vs. No. 39 Rice (17-6)
Mitchell Tennis Center | Bryan-College Station, Texas
LAST TIME OUT
The Gauchos emerged victorious on Sunday winning The Big West Championship for the third time in five years. As the No. 1 seed, the Gauchos began their quest for the title on Saturday with a sweep in the semifinal round over Long Beach State.
In the championship match against Cal Poly, the Blue and Gold battled back from an initial doubles loss with singles wins from
Amelia Honer,
Raphaelle Leroux and
Marie Weissheim.
Tyra Richardson clinched the match in a three-set thriller, securing the Gauchos' 4-2 win and automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Rice earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament following a 4-1 conference record and numerous ranked wins this season. The Owls picked up a 4-2 win in the AAC quarterfinals, but ultimately dropped the semifinal match to Memphis, 4-2. The Gauchos hold a 1-2 all-time record when facing the Owls. Rice boasts one ranked doubles pairing of No. 78 Darya Schwartzman/Maria Fernanda Martinez Hernandez.
ABOUT THE GAUCHOS
Overall Record: 16-8
Big West: 9-0
Home: 7-1
Away: 6-5
Neutral: 3-2
Against Ranked Opponents: 7-4
ITA Ranking: 32nd
Streak: W12
ABOUT THE OWLS
Overall Record: 17-6
AAC: 4-1
Home: 9-3
Away: 6-2
Neutral: 2-1
Against Ranked Opponents: 6-2
ITA Ranking: 39th
Streak: L1
