INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --- Washington and Lee University, which won its 11th straight and conference-record 39th ODAC title on Sunday afternoon, learned its position in the upcoming NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Team Championship on Monday. The Generals will travel for early round play in the 37-team field.
Like Washington and Lee, 31 squads earned automatic qualification by claiming their conference's championship and subsequent automatic entry to the field. Three spots were reserved for Pool "B" teams as independents or members of conferences that do not feature automatic bids. The remaining three teams in the field were filled via at-large selection from Pool "C" by the Division III Women's Tennis Committee.
The progression of this year's bracket, albeit smaller than in past year's due to COVID-19 protcols, is fairly straight forward. Teams will compete in four or five-team pods for rounds one thru three of the event. The eight winners that emerge from those pods travel to the Champions Tennis Club in Chattanooga, Tenn., for quarterfinal thru finals matches.
Qualifying participants in the NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Individual Championship will be announced on Wednesday, May 12.
RELATED: NCAA Release | Interactive Bracket | Printable Bracket
Washington and Lee (11-1) will be part of a four-team pod hosted by Sewanee at the Ensworth School Tennis Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Like all early round sites in this tournament, Sewanee was pre-determined to host this event. The pod featuring W&L is one of two hosted by Sewanee. Washington and Lee, along with the other three teams in this pod, received byes thru the first round. The Generals open with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Ind.)(7-2). The winner will square off in round three against either Mount Aloysius College (8-0) or Williams College (6-1).
Each of the early round sites were pre-determined by the Division III Men's Tennis Committee in an effort to streamline COVID-19 protocols. In addition to Sewanee, site hosts include North Carolina Wesleyan College, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Texas at Dallas, and the University of Chicago. Like Sewanee, Berry College in conjunction with the Rome (Ga.) Sports Commission will host a pair of pods.
Early round action is slated for May 13-16. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and national championship feature in Tennessee on May 24-26.
For more information, visit the websites of any of the participating schools. You can also visit the ODAC at www.odaconline.com or the NCAA at www.ncaa.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.