The future of the Terrapins men’s tennis team now rests entirely in the hands of the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
After a 4-0 loss to No. 2 Virginia ended their hopes to advance to the ACC Tournament semifinals for the first time in more than 10 seasons, the Terps’ only hope of keeping their season alive is securing one of the 64 NCAA Tournament berths.
And as one of the eight university teams that could be cut following this season, not getting that berth could mean their loss to the Cavaliers will be the final time the Terps ever step onto a tennis court as a team.
A win over Virginia could have immediately improved the No. 59 Terps’ tournament resume. But that is not how Friday’s contest played out. The team was swept in Cary, N.C., and denied the opportunity to proceed further into the playoffs.
The team is scheduled to be terminated by the athletic department unless it can reach the university’s financial benchmarks. While players can qualify as individuals, the Terps are forced to wait on the NCAA committee to find out whether it will continue to play as a team, or if that quarterfinals match was their last.
What may feel like a normal week for most will likely feel like an eternity for a tennis team that has played its heart out the last two weeks, beating No. 18 North Carolina at home and No. 63 Georgia Tech in the first round of the tournament.
“I think [the players] were disappointed, but didn’t take it any different than any other loss,” coach Kyle Spencer said. “I think this is a good time for them to focus on their school work and their physical stuff.”
After exciting victories over two higher-ranked teams, the Terps (8-15, 4-7 ACC) sought to redeem themselves against Virginia (24-1, 11-0) and advance to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament for the first time since 1986. For the second consecutive season, however, the Cavaliers eliminated the Terps in the quarterfinals.
“I think UVA outplayed us on the day,” Spencer said. “I think the guys competed hard, but UVA was the better team on the day and deserved to win.”
Virginia started the morning off strong beating the Terps, 8-3, on both the highest and third-highest doubles courts to take the point. The Cavaliers beat the Terps in their strongest area, and Virginia’s No. 18 duo Jarmere Jenkins and Drew Courtney smothered the Terps’ No. 23 Maros Horny and John Collins.
In singles action, the Cavalier’s depth proved too much for the Terps, who lost on the highest, fourth and third-ranked courts. The Terps will wait until Tuesday, May 1 to learn their NCAA Tournament fate. The individual tournament field will be announced the following day.
“We’re hoping to get into the NCAA tournament this year,” Spencer said. “We had a good showing last year, and we’ll wait for the rankings to come out to see where we stand.
“We’ve had a group of individuals who have helped put Maryland back on the national scene. We have a lot to be proud of, and hopefully we get another chance to continue with that. If not, I think this group of players and coaches have done special things that have never been done at Maryland.”
walker@umdbk.com
