Catawba College Tennis Teams Unveil First NCAA Division III Opponents and Season Paths

Catawba College’s men’s and women’s tennis teams have secured their first NCAA Division II tournament matchups and seeding for the 2026 NCAA Championships, marking the program’s highest-ever regional ranking in history. The teams will travel to Arizona for the national tournament, where they will compete for a chance to advance to the championship rounds.

The men’s team, ranked as the No. 1 seed in the Southeast Region for the first time in program history, will host its opening matches in the NCAA tournament. Their first opponent will be the Mount Olive team, ranked No. 39 nationally, on May 11, 2026. The women’s team, though not yet seeded, will also compete in the tournament, adding to the historic run for Catawba’s tennis program.

This achievement underscores the program’s rapid rise in Division II tennis. The men’s team has already demonstrated dominance in the 2025–26 season, securing wins against nationally ranked opponents, including a sweep of Wingate (No. 19) and Lenoir-Rhyne (No. 41) earlier this spring. Their undefeated record in key matchups has solidified their status as a regional powerhouse.

The NCAA Division II Championships will take place in Arizona, with Catawba’s teams joining other top programs from across the nation. The men’s team’s No. 1 seeding in the Southeast Region is particularly notable, as it reflects the program’s consistent performance and depth of talent. The women’s team, while not yet seeded, will look to build on its recent success and make a strong showing in the tournament.

Catawba College, a private liberal arts institution in Salisbury, North Carolina, has long been recognized for its athletic programs, including its NCAA Division II teams. The tennis program’s historic seeding and tournament appearance highlight the college’s commitment to excellence in sports and academics alike.

For now, the focus remains on the upcoming matches. The men’s team will begin its NCAA tournament campaign with a home match against Mount Olive, while the women’s team prepares to compete in their first-round matchup. Fans and players alike will be watching closely as Catawba aims to make its mark in the national tournament.

Updates on match times, opponents, and seeding details will be provided by Catawba Athletics as the tournament approaches. The college’s athletic department has emphasized the significance of this milestone, calling it a testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams and their coaches.