State returns east to Atlanta for Georgia Tech Regional
It won't be an unfamiliar road for the Mississippi State women's tennis team when it comes to participating in the NCAA Tournament this season.
The Bulldogs travel to the Georgia Tech Regional in Atlanta and will face Northwestern on May 13 at 10 a.m.
MSU makes the return trip to Atlanta this season after defeating Georgia State there 6-1 on Feb. 25.
Atlanta will be a little warmer this time of year, but the Bulldogs think that will be the only difference. Everything else will be considered an advantage.
“We don't have to fly and it's an easy trip
over there,” MSU women's tennis coach Daryl Greenan said. “We've played in Atlanta once this year. We'll hopefully have some alumni people there and fans there. One of our girls (Caroline Kelly) is from Atlanta. She'll have plenty of family.”
Junior Madison Harrison also likes the thought of not having a long journey awaiting the Bulldogs for NCAA competition.
Being able to just concentrate on tennis and not worry about travel is a plus in her mind.
“We don't have to deal with that,” Harrison said. “We're looking forward to the opportunity.
“We'll keep doing what we're doing as a team, practicing hard every day as always, not do anything any different, keep trusting in ourselves, trusting each other and knowing we can beat anyone.”
MSU takes a 15-8 record
into the NCAA Tournament after splitting a pair of matches at the Southeastern Conference Tournament on April 2021. The Bulldogs defeated Tennessee and lost to Florida.
Greenan said the pairings at Georgia Tech are tough, but believes playing in the SEC has MSU ready.
“Northwestern is one of the tougher 3 seeds for sure, but we're battle tested through the SEC season with the league being so strong,” Greenan said. “We look forward to that challenge for sure.”