DELAND, Fla. - The Stetson University women's tennis team will continue its historic 2022 season this Friday, when it takes on the No. 9 national seed Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables, Florida, the Hatters found out while viewing the NCAA Women's Tennis Championship selection show at a watch party at Parched Oak Restaurant in downtown DeLand.

"Firstly, we appreciate all the support that we have had during the week, it has been amazing!" Stetson head women's tennis coach Travis Sandlant said. "What an opportunity for this young team. Miami is a strong team, but we are beaming with confidence at the moment and excited. We are eager to get on the courts and give it our all. We will leave nothing out there, that's for sure.

"Also, I wanted to thank the Parched Oak Restaurant for being such a gracious host tonight to our women's tennis team, staff and supporters who showed up this evening for the watch party."

Stetson (22-2), currently 64th in the ITA rankings, earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Championship after winning the ASUN Championship title a week ago, the fourth in program history but the first in 33 seasons. The team, which has set a school record with its 22 wins, tied a school record with its current nine-match winning streak and won a share of the ASUN regular-season crown, will now play in its first-ever NCAA DI tournament. The Hatters twice made the NCAA DII Championship in the 1980s (1983, 1984).

Miami (17-5), currently ranked 12th in the ITA rankings, finished third in the ACC this season and lost in the semifinals of its championship tournament to Duke. The Hurricanes earned their 26th consecutive bid into the NCAA Championship and is hosting for the 14th time in the last 17 years. They have two singles players ranked in the top 40 in Daevenia Achong (32nd) and Eden Richardson (38th), while as a doubles pair, the duo is 18th in the ITA rankings.

This will be the fourth ever meeting between the two schools, but the first since 1981, and Miami holds the series lead, 3-0.

There will be two matches played on Friday at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center, as No. 40 Alabama and No. 22 UCF have also been invited to the Coral Gables regional and will start things at 10 am, followed by Stetson facing off against the host Hurricanes at 1 pm. The two winners of Friday's matches will square off on Saturday at 1 pm with a chance to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16.

CLICK HERE to view the 2022 NCAA Women's Tennis Championship bracket.

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About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS (PDF).

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