St. John’s Set To Play South Florida in NCAA Tournament Opening Round

Confident Red Storm team ready to continue historic season

May 13, 2016 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff


Credit all photos to St. John's University Athletics

The St. John’s men’s tennis team hopes its historic season will continue when it battles with the Bulls of South Florida on Saturday morning at Linder Stadium at the Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville, Florida.

The Red Storm is making its third-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament after compiling a 21-5 record during the regular season. It has won its last seven matches and nine of its last 10. While it is a neutral site tournament, St. John’s is one of four teams playing in Gainesville this weekend and the only one not from the state of Florida.

“Playing in Florida will be tough for us as the other three schools are all local and obviously used to playing outside in the heat,” said St. John’s Associate Head Coach Cory Hubbard. “The good news is we played in 90 degree weather in the Big East and we handled it with no problems. Most of our guys grew up playing in the heat and we pushed our fitness in the last month or so we feel we can last in the heat.”

The Bulls have enjoyed a good season themselves, going 20-8 on the season and winning its third straight American Athletic Conference championship. Like St. John’s, it has also won seven straight matches and enters the NCAA tournament with momentum.

“South Florida has been a top 15 team all year, so we know it will be a tough match,” Hubbard added. “They do really well in doubles and their number one player (Roberto Sid) is ranked #2 in the nation, so those spots will be difficult. But our team has done well at the lower positions because of our depth so that should be the key for us.”

St. John’s has had some recent NCAA experience, but the Red Storm feel more confident in this team than in years past.

“Our guys know this is the best team we have had and we believe we can do very well this weekend. In past years, we have gone into the NCAAs happy to make it, but this year we have been working to advance,” said Hubbard. “We truly believe if we play with energy and belief that we can win against any team we play. We are excited but hungry to keep our season going.”

St. John’s may be in the tournament’s toughest region. In addition to the Red Storm and Bulls, the Florida Gators will take on the North Florida Ospreys in the other matchup, meaning there are four nationally ranked teams and conference champions in this region.

The matchup will get underway at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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