College Tennis

[Butkus51]

College Tennis Rankings, as of 4-14-26

Men.

#20 USC, 16-6, should be #15

#21 UCLA, 14-6,  should be #18

#1 Texas, 21-6

#2  Ohio St, 25-3

#3  TCU, 19-5, nah # 5,  Wake Forest should be #3

#4  Virginia, 20-3

#7  Wake Forest, 25-3, defending champs should be #3

#9  Arizona, 20-3, should be #8

#16  U. San Diego, 18-4, should be #12

This 2025/26 tennis season does have a dominating team.  I’ve seen the top 10 play; Texas, Ohio St, Wake Forest, Virginia and TCU are pretty much even.  I pick the finals = Ohio St vs Virginia, with Virginia taking the NC in a very close match.

Women.

#10  USC 17-5, 2 weeks ago they were ranked #6.  Our wahine’s are very good, but very young.  Team = 10 girls with only 1 senior and 2 juniors.

#19  UCLA, 13-6.

#1  UGA, 17-4, defending NC

#2  Texas AM, 20-4

#3  Auburn, 29-3

#4  Oklahoma 23-4

#5.  Ohio St, 19-3

#6  UNC-North Carolina, 23-2

#7  Virginia, 19-4

Like the men, there’s no dominating team.  Any of the top 7 could take the NC.  I predict the finals:  Auburn vs  Texas AM, with Auburn winning the NC

• This topic was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by Butkus51.

[Butkus51]

4-22-26

USC tennis.

Men, ranked #18, 18-6 and tie for 2nd place in B1G.  Nah, our boys should be ranked #15

Women, ranked #10, 19-5 and Co-Champs B1G.  Nah, our girls should be ranked #8

Starting today the big, annual, Ojai Tennis Tournament starts.  The normal PAC 12 championship is no longer, but replacing it is the Big 10 team, singles, doubles Championships.  Too bad Stanford, Cal, ASU, Zona won’t be playing (in different conferences).  My wife and I will be there Friday and Saturday.  We love staying and playing a little tennis & dining in Ojai, plus it’s nice to see old tennis friends…  Cheers

[Butkus51]

Look at how the PAC dominated college tennis.

Men National Champions and Runner Ups.  Records began 1946 to 2025 = 79 yrs.  USC, UCLA & Stanford won 55 NC = 70%

USC, 22 NC & 9 RU

UCLA, 16 NC & 15 RU

Stanford, 17 NC & 3 RU

_____________________

Georgia-UGA, 6 NC & 7 RU

Virginia, 6 NC, 2 RU

Amazing how these 5 schools winning 67 NC = 85% of all college tennis NC

 

Women National Champions and Runner Ups.  Records began 1971 to 2025 = 53 yrs. Stanford, USC & UCLA won 31 NC = 59%

Stanford, 22 NC & 7 RU

USC, 7 NC & 2 RU

UCLA, 2 NC & 7 RU

____________________

Florida, 7 NC, 4 RU

Amazing, these 4 schools have won 38 NC = 72% of all NC.

• This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by Butkus51.

[Butkus51]

4-22-26 to 4-25-26

Ojai Tennis Championships.

Men B1G team championships.  Sad that Stanford, Cal, ASU,  Zona, Utah were not at the tournament; they are in different conferences.

We got there Friday morning.  Wipe out, #4 seed, USC were eliminated by #5 seed UCLA on Thursday, quarter’s, 0-4.  USC held #18 national rankings, while UCLA #20 rankings.  This was not an upset, both teams were 1-1 in da regular season dual matches, prior to this match.

Final’s  #1 seed Michigan St (W) vs #2 Ohio St, 4-3.  Kinda BS, Michigan St held #25 national rankings and Ohio St #5 N rankings.  Both teams were co-champs regular season with 12-1 record.  This is a good example how the national ranking committee make mistakes.  Michigan St should have been ranked #12 N.  Ojai got the seeds right (smart people).

The finals had a couple delays due to bad weather (cold, strong winds and slight rain). It was terrible for the players going thru long delays & finally play in bad weather.  Hah, the mid west teams brought their bad weather to S. Calif.  We saw a little bit, but ended up leaving for home around 7:00 pm (it was too cold for us, the strong winds & rain were nasty). Found out the next day, the match ended 12:30 am PST.

Semi’s.  UCLA (L) vs Ohio St, 2-4.  UCLA had a very good tournament.

Women B1G Tennis Championship, hosted by Ohio St.

Final’s. #4 seed  Michigan (W) vs #1 seed Ohio St, 4-2.  This was a mild upset, Ohio St was favored.  Michigan held #17 national rankings, Ohio St #5 N rankings.

Quarter’s.  #2 seed USC (L) vs #7 seed Maryland, 1-4.  Wow, dis was a Big Upset.  USC held #12 national rankings, Maryland # 42 N rankings.  3 weeks ago,# 15 USC beat #2 Ohio St, 4-1 and climbed to #6 rankings.  The girls must rebound, clean up things and get ready for the NC playoffs in May.

Semi’s.  #4 seed UCLA (L) vs Ohio St, 2-4.  UCLA held #18 national rankings.  UCLA had a good tournament.  They will make the NC playoffs in May.

For Friday dinner we dined at The Oak, Ojai Valley Inn.  We’ve dined there before.  Food and service = 9 stars.  The Oak has a large roof patio for an outdoor dinning experience with great natural views.  Wife and I shared a 16 oz, char grill rib eye $72 + added grilled jumbo shrimps (5)  $22 included French fries + grilled zucchini..  Plus shared a big Caesar salad, $13.  We brought our own wine, 2016 Tyler Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard W Block, Produced and Bottled, Santa Barbara County from my wine cellar. Corkage fee $18.  You guys must try this wine, it’s one of the best California Chardonnays.

Saturday morning had breakfast at The Duchess (café/bakery) = 10+*  We are repeat customers.  They serve wonderful breakfast and the fresh bakery products are awesome.  They have outdoor patio dinning tables (nice sunshine & fresh air)   We shared their classic breakfast (scramble eggs, 4 thick smoked bacon, country potatoes, sour dough toast) = $21 +  very good coffee $5 + large apricot Danish $7 and their refreshing homemade, brewed ice tea = $5.  Dis joint has an A+ lunch and dinner menu too.

Cheers.

[Butkus51]

2026, NCAA Tennis Team Championships.  5-1-26 to 5-16-26

The tournament format = 64 schools and teams and regions.

16 regional locations (2 rounds)

The 16 winners move onto the Super 8 Regional’s (2 rounds, 3rd and qt’s Elite 8).

Next, the Final 4 teams move onto UGA, Dan Magill tennis complex (Semi’s and Final’s).

Previous NC’s were held at the USTA National Complex, Lake Nona, Orlando, Fl.  I feel dis is the best venue for da NC playoffs.(neutral site).  I think the NC’s finals will move back to Orlando in 2028 (10 yr contract).

USC and UCLA, men’s and women’s teams made the playoffs.  Shaka.

Men’s bracket and regional’s.

https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/tennis-men/d1/2026

USC and UCLA boys are in tough regional’s.  It’s gonna be tuff to advance, win their bracket/regional and move onto the Super 8 Regional’s.

Women’s bracket and regional’s.

https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/tennis-women/d1/2026

USC and UCLA girls are in favorable regional’s and should win their region and move onto the Super 8 Regional’s.

[Butkus51]

5-4-26

Update with NCAA NC Tennis results.

Men, 1st and 2nd Rds, 5-1-26 and 5-2-26.  Like I predicted USC and UCLA will not move on to the Super 8 Regional’s (Sweet 16 & Elite 8).  There were no upsets with the 16 seeded teams.

1st rd, USC  (W) vs Duke, 4-2.  2nd rd, USC (L) vs #9 OU-Oklahoma, 0-4

1st rd, UCLA (W) vs ASU-Arizona St, 4-0, UCLA (L) vs #15 U.San Diego, 0-4

 

Women.  1st and 2nd Rds.  Like I predicted USC and UCLA moved on to the Super 8 Regional’s (Sweet 16 and Elite 8), 5-8-26 & 5-9-26.  15/16 seeded teams advanced to the Sweet 16.

1st rd, #13 USC (W) vs Sacramento St, 4-0.  2nd rd USC (W) vs #23 Cal, 4-0

1st rd, UCLA (W) vs San Diego St, 4-3.  2nd rd, UCLA (W) vs #16 ASU (a mild upset, not really, UCLA was ranked #18 in nation)

Congrats to USC and UCLA, Wahine tennis teams.  But, they are gonna have to play their best tennis in the Sweet 16 and next rd:  #13 USC vs #4 Texas AM.  UCLA vs #1 UGA-Georgia.  It’s gonna be very hard matches.  Let’s keep our fingers cross and say some prayers for our girls tennis teams…  Cheers

PS.  It’s strange not seeing Stanford women advance to the Super 8 Regional’s.  But, this was the lowest ranked #30 Stanford team, 13-10 record.  Stanford roster is filled with high ranking HS tennis girls, very disappointing season for sure.

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 5 days ago by Butkus51.

[Butkus51]

Super Regional’s, Sweet 16: Friday, May 8 or Saturday, May 9

Men.

Friday, May 8

No. 1 Wake Forest 4, No. 16 UCF 1
No. 3 Ohio State 4, No. 14 Illinois 0
No. 4 Virginia 4, No. 13 South Carolina 1
No. 2 Texas 4, No. 15 San Diego 1
No. 10 Baylor 4, Pepperdine 3

Saturday, May 9

No. 5 Mississippi State 4, No. 12 Georgia 1
No. 6 TCU 4, Stanford 0
No. 8 Arizona 4, No. 9 Oklahoma 3

Women.

Like I said, USC and UCLA girls had to play their best tennis in da Sweet 16, but could not do dat.  Shaka, both schools did well and had a good tournament.

Friday, May 8

No. 4 Texas A&M 5, No. 13 Southern California 1
No. 1 Georgia 4, UCLA 1
No. 5 North Carolina 4, No. 12 Michigan 2
No. 8 NC State 4, No. 9 Texas 2
No. 2 Auburn 4, No. 15 Duke 2
No. 11 Pepperdine 4, No. 8 Oklahoma 3

Saturday, May 9

No. 3 Ohio State 4, No. 14 Vanderbilt 1
No. 10 LSU 4, No. 7 Virginia 1

[Butkus51]

5-14-26

Men’s Quarter Finals, Elite 8, results.

No. 4 Virginia 4, No. 5 Mississippi State 1

No. 1 Wake Forest 4, No. 8 Arizona 1

No. 6 TCU 4, No. 3 Ohio State 3.  Not an upset, even matchup.  For many weeks TCU was ranked #4

No. 2 Texas 4, No. 10 Baylor 1

Prior to 2022, these 3 schools were insignificant.  In last 4 years Wake Forest, Mississippi State, Arizona have emerged, making the Quarter’s/Elite 8.  These schools are R top international players.

**  Why this tournament is so hard.  5-14-26 = Qt’s, the 4 winning teams must jump on a plane and fly to UGA for the Semi’s (Final 4) and Finals to be played 5-16-26 to 5-17-26.  Travel + most of all dat’s a lot of tennis within 3-4 days.  Kudos to the Finalist.

Semifinals: Saturday, May 16, UGA, Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA

No. 6 TCU vs. No. 2 Texas.  Texas should win da match.

No. 1 Wake Forest vs. No. 4 Virginia.  Wake Forest is da defending Champs, Xlent match up.  Never count out Virginia

When USC won 5 NC under C. Smith in the 2000’s, the team always played TCU and Virginia in da Semi’s and Finals.  TCU and Virginia has kept up their powerful teams, whereas USC had declined.  We just need another top coach, like C. Smith.

2 ACC, 1 SEC, 1 Big 12.  No B1G made da semi’s

Championship: Sunday, May 17 | Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA

 

5-15-26

Women’s Quarter Finals, Elite 8, results.

Quarterfinals: Friday, May 15 | ESPN+

No. 2 Auburn 4, No. 10 LSU 1

No. 3 Ohio State 4, No. 11 Pepperdine 0

No. 1 Georgia 4, No. 8 NC State 1

No. 4 Texas A&M 4, No. 5 North Carolina 3

The SEC last 4 years have dominated women tennis.  Normally, there 5 SEC teams in Top 10 rankings.  In the Qt’s or Elite 8, SEC = 4 schools/teams.

**  Why this tournament is so hard.  5-15-26 = Qt’s, the 4 winning teams must jump on a plane and fly to UGA for the Semi’s (Final 4) and Finals to be played 5-16-26 to 5-17-26.  Travel + most of all, dat’s a lot of tennis within 3-4 days.  Kudos to the Finalist.

Semifinals: Saturday, May 16, UGA, Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA

No. 2 Auburn vs No 3 Ohio St

No 1 Georgia vs No 4 Texas A&M

 

[Butkus51]

5-18-26

Men’s Semifinals: Final 4, Saturday, May 16, Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA

No. 4 Virginia 4, No. 1 Wake Forest 3.  Close match.

No. 2 Texas 4, No. 6 TCU 3.  Close match.

Finals-Championship: Sunday, May 17,  Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA

No. 4 Virginia 4, No. 2 Texas 3.  Great finals, both teams gave 100%.

Great weekend of high caliber tennis, saw the matches (men & women) on ESPN.  Like I said never count out Virginia in a NC playoffs.  Virginia has a great coach, Andreas Petroso (2019), now winning 3 NC, 2021, 23, 26 + 2 runner ups (2nd place), guided Virginia to the Elite 8 since becoming HC 2019.  Amazing record.  But, he lands top players, R well.

USC needs to make a change at HC.  C. Massi who was an AC under the great C. Peter Smith in the championship years is not cutting it.  My choices: Andreas Petroso, Virginia, David Roditi, TCU, Tony Bresky, Wake Forest, Ty Tucker, Ohio St. or Ryan Keckley, U. San Diego.

 

Women Semifinals: Final 4 Saturday, May 16,  Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA

No. 2 Auburn 4, No. 3 Ohio State 1.  Though out the season Auburn played  A+ tennis.

No. 4 Texas A&M 4, No. 1 Georgia 3.  Heck, not an upset.  At one time Texas AM was ranked #2.

Finals-Championship: Sunday, May 17,  Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA

No. 4 Texas A&M 4, vs. No. 2 Auburn 1.  Congrats to Texas AM, they finally won one.  The last 6 years Texas AM has gone far in the tournament and been in the finals once, losing-taking 2nd place.

At the start, I predicted these 2 teams making the finals and Auburn winning the NC.  Congrats to Texas AM, girls deserve the NC crown.  I’ve said this for decades, winning the NCAA tennis championship is a very hard thing to do.  We have to appreciate all the NC in da history of the NC tournaments

• This reply was modified 1 week, 5 days ago by Butkus51.

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