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Austin Peay State University to face Mississippi State University in NCAA men’s tennis tournament

Austin Peay State University Governors SportsClarksville, TN — Austin Peay State University’s men’s tennis team, winners of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, will face Mississippi State in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Tennis Tournament.

The Govs (17-3), who won the OVC title for the first time since 1974 will be making its first NCAA Tournament appearance and it will be the first for first-year head coach Ross Brown, who was named to the position last summer.

APSU Men's Tennis team reacts to NCAA Tournament news-photo by Michael Rios-Clarksville Sports Network
APSU Men’s Tennis team reacts to NCAA Tournament news-photo by Michael Rios-Clarksville Sports Network

“Honestly, I couldn’t be happier,” Brown said. “I’m happy for our men’s team and I think it helps our women’s team to a little bit. This has been a wonderful feeling.”

Austin Peay will open play against No. 10 seed – and 12th ranked — Mississippi State May 10th, at 1 p.m., at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Center in Starkville, MS.

Mississippi State made the tournament field as one of the 33 at-large teams, after losing to Kentucky in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

It will be the third straight year the Bulldogs have made the tournament – second as a host site – and 22nd time overall they made the NCAA tournament field.

The Govs are 0-6 all-time versus the Bulldogs.

“We just need to go down there and play good tennis and focus on the things that help you play good tennis,” Brown said. “There are no guarantees, but that is what we need to focus on.

“I tell the guys, every time they go out on the court, they have to play good tennis. We need a high number of first serves, getting the return into play – it’s about doing the simple things. The focus is trying to play good tennis that gives us a chance to be successful.”

Austin Peay and Mississippi State will be the second matchup of the day with Southern Conference champion Samford (15-9) and Ivy League champion Harvard (18-5) playing at 10:00am that morning.

The Governors lost to Samford in their first match of the spring season 5-2, in Birmingham, AL, while Mississippi State defeated Samford 7-0.

The two teams also have a common opponent this year in Tennessee Tech, who beat the Govs 5-2, while the Bulldogs beat the Golden Eagles 6-0.

The winners of the first-round matches will then face each other in a second round matchup on Saturday, May 11th, at 1:00pm, for the right to advance to the NCAA round of 16 in Champaign, IL, on May 16th.

Tickets may be purchased in advance or on each day of the tournament. An all-tournament pass is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for senior citizens, college students, and children under 17. Single-day tickets for May 10th and May 11th are $5,00 for adults and $3.00 for senior citizens, college students, and children under 17.

Fans interested in purchasing advance all-tournament tickets may do so by contacting the Mississippi State Athletic Ticket Office (662) 325-2600 or 1-888-GO-DAWGS beginning Thursday, May 2nd.

2013 NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship First and Second Rounds

A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre – Starkville, MS
May 10th-11th, 2013

5/10/13 – First Round???
Match 1st (10:00am CT) – Harvard vs. Samford
Match 2nd (not before 1:00pm CT) – Mississippi State vs. Austin Peay

5/11/13 – Second Round???
Match 3rd (1:00pm) – Match 1 Winner vs. Match 2 Winner

Chris Austin
Chris Austinhttp://www.clarksvillesportsnetwork.com
Chris Austin is a graduate of Clarksville High School and Austin Peay State University. Chris is a former Head Softball Coach for APSU, and assistant basketball coach for CHS. Chris has worked at the Leaf-Chronicle, and WJZM News/Talk/Sports radio. Has also worked at the Sports Information Department at APSU, and has covered championship events for the Ohio Valley Conference and NCAA. Chris is an avid sports fan and can be found at most Austin Peay State University sports events.
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