MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS

Indianapolis, Ind. --- For the first time in school history, the Minnesota State men\'s and women\'s tennis teams will participate in the NCAA Tournament. The tournament, which is scheduled to begin next weekend, will take place in St. Cloud. Start times for the matches have yet to be determined.

The women, who are 12-10 on the season, will face Montana State - Billings in the opening round of its three-team sub-regional, which will be played in St. Cloud, Minn. MSU and MSU Billings played earlier this year with the Yellowjackets earning a 5-4 victory. The winner will advance to play St. Cloud State, the host of the three-team sub-regional. The winner of that match will advance to play the winner of the Mesa State sub-regional.

Minnesota State is led by senior #1 singles player Marina Bugaenco, who is currently ranked #1 in the central region and #44 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, is 18-1 on the season and has won her last 13 matches. Bugaenco and sophomore doubles partner, Sarah Madigan, are #5 in the central region and are 8-2 in their last 10 matches and 12-8 on the season.

\"We are happy to be making progress with our men\'s and women\'s programs ,\" said head coach Phil Brauer. \"This is the beginning of hopefully many postseasons.\"

On the men\'s side, MSU will face Western New Mexico in St. Cloud. The winner of the match will advance to play St. Cloud State, the host of the three-team sub-regional. The winner of that match will advance to play the winner of the Metro State sub-regional. The Maverick men are 6-10 on the season.

The Mavericks have never qualified a team for the NCAA tournament in either men\'s or women\'s tennis. The last time that MSU qualified a individuals, men\'s or women\'s, came in 1988 when Mike Borer and Brett Christfferson qualified for doubles. Borer, who was a two-time North Central Conference Champion, qualified for the singles competition in 1988 as well.