Grade: B
The men’s tennis team came into the season with high expectations, sporting one of the top freshman classes in the nation after a dismal 10-14 (2-9 ACC) 2011 season.
With a singles lineup featuring three seniors and three freshmen, the Wolfpack netters didn’t disappoint. With a preseason ranking of 59 in the nation, the Pack worked its way up the ladder. The team began the season with a 14-2 record, climbing into the ITA Top 25, coming in at No. 21.
The season wasn’t always silky smooth for State, however, as the team hit a rocky patch when the competitive ACC season rolled around. The team dropped five of its first six conference matches of the season, including a tight 3-4 loss to No. 6 Duke, as well as losses to No. 32 North Carolina and No. 4 Virginia.
The Pack found a way through the rough start in league play as it won three of its final four ACC matches that included incredible comeback wins over Georgia Tech and Clemson.
State would go on to sweep Boston College for the second time of the season in the first round of the ACC championship. However, the team’s second bout of the season with the Blue Devils didn’t go as planned, as the team dropped a 4-0 decision in the quarterfinals.
The Wolfpack still has the NCAA tournament to look forward to. State has proven that they can hang with the best and will be looking to make a run in May. Selections for the NCAA tournament will be made on May 1