The Terrapin men’s tennis team didn’t earn a berth to the NCAA tournament this season, but two members of the team will be playing for a national title later this month.
The doubles team of juniors Andrew Orban and Boris Fetbroyt will be the first Terps to participate in a NCAA championship in more than 20 years when they travel to Tulsa, Okla., to compete in the 32-team field.
“It’s a great honor making the tournament, and being the first to make it in 20 years just adds to it,” Fetbroyt said. “Andy and I both know our main goal is to do well in the championships and hopefully win it all, which would give us a wild card into the U.S. Open.”
The pair received one of the 19 at-large bids for the doubles tournament by finishing the regular season ranked No. 8 nationally. They will be ranked between No. 5 and No. 8 in the tournament. As a result, the team is guaranteed All-American status.
The pair’s All-American award marks the first time a Terrapin men’s tennis player or pair has received the honor since former men’s basketball star John Lucas earned it in 1976 as a singles player. Throughout the history of the program, there has never been a doubles team that has been awarded All-America status, until now.
“It’s a great accomplishment for the program and for Boris and Andrew,” coach Jim Laitta said. “As a doubles team, they had the best year in the history of the program.”
Going into the spring season, the two knew they had the potential to make the NCAA tournament and compete for a national championship. However, Fetbroyt admitted the All-America status was an added bonus.
“Being honored as an All-American is great – it’s probably the best award you can get besides winning a national championship,” Fetbroyt said. “I can’t say we set a goal to become All-Americans, but we knew if we worked hard enough, we would have a chance to get that status, and the hard work paid off.”
The two juniors put up stellar numbers throughout the season, compiling a 15-3 overall record while going 4-2 against ranked opponents. Having already faced the No. 1 ranked doubles team from the University of Virginia during the regular season, the team feels it’s ready to make a run for the title.
“Anybody can beat anybody in the tournament. Coach always says don’t believe in the seedings, they are just numbers,” Fetbroyt said. “We are excited and focused at the same time.”
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