HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University men’s tennis team will meet the University of Southern Indiana at 2 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Division II Tournament at Midland, Mich.
NKU, 21-5 overall and champion of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, already owns two victories over Southern Indiana this season. The Norse posted a 5-4 win over the Screaming Eagles in the regular season at Evansville, Ind., and NKU later defeated Southern Indiana by a 5-2 score in the GLVC championship match.
NKU is led by junior Amine Benjelloun, who is 20-4 overall at No. 1 singles. The Norse also feature sophomore Billy Hopkins, who owns a 21-2 record at No. 4 singles. Benjelloun, Hopkins and Nick Herzog (16-7 at No. 3 singles) each were named All-GLVC by the league coaches.
NKU’s Geoff Crawford was named GLVC Coach of the Year after guiding the Norse to their first GLVC title since 1990.
NKU advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, and the Norse dropped a 5-0 decision to Northwood (Mich.) University in the first round. Northwood, which is the host for this regional, will take on the University of Indianapolis in the first round Thursday.
The NKU/Southern Indiana winner will meet the Northwood/Indianapolis winner in the regional finals on Friday. NKU has never won a match in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Amine Benjelloun