INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Committee has selected the individuals who will compete in the singles and doubles competition of the 2018 NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Championships and sophomore Alexis Dimanche becomes the first Pirate men's tennis player to earn a spot in the singles championship. 

 

Southwestern's Mary Cardone was the first individual to compete in a singles championship, earning a spot last season on the women's side, while Niko Snovely and Grant Gideon earned a spot in the double championship for the men last season. 

 

Dimanche has had an impressive season, going 16-6 in #1 singles for the Pirates, posting ranked singles wins over #7, #9, #17 and #24 regionally. He is currently ranked #8 in the West Region and was named the SCAC Men's Tennis Player of the Year, one season after earning SCAC Newcomer of the Year honors. 

 

For the individual championships, the national committee selected seven singles players and three doubles teams from each of the four regions. Additionally, the committee then selected the remaining four singles players and four doubles team berths from a national at-large pool. The individual championships shall consist of 32 singles players and 16 doubles teams. The selection of teams and individuals for the championships is based on win-loss record, strength of schedule, and eligibility and availability of student-athletes.

 

The individual championships begin May 24-26, both at The Biszantz Family Tennis Center in Claremont, California, and will be hosted by the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.