GREENWOOD – The Lander men’s tennis team announced its 2018 schedule on Friday (November 24).
The Bearcats, led by 13th-year head coach Brett Simpson, will be play 17 regular-season dual matches in the spring, with eight at their home courts – the Joe Cabri Tennis Center.
“We are challenged in the first few weeks of the season by playing four-time defending NAIA national champion Georgia Gwinnett,” said Simpson, “followed quickly by our match with last year’s No. 3-ranked team, Columbus State. The goal is to be playing our best tennis in postseason play.”
Lander’s season opens at Newberry (Feb. 7) and the home slate begins with the showdown against Georgia Gwinnett (Feb. 10). A pair of road tests against Belmont Abbey (Feb. 17) and Emmanuel (Feb. 20) are followed by a three-match home stretch to open Peach Belt Conference play; Columbus State (Feb. 23), Georgia Southwestern (Feb. 24) and Georgia College (Feb. 25).
The Bearcats travel to Francis Marion to open the month of March (March 2) before facing Barry (March 5) in Valdosta, Ga., and Young Harris (March 6) on the road. The annual match with rival Erskine (March 14) is followed by a trip to Augusta (March 16). After hosting Flagler (March 18) and traveling to USC Aiken (March 23), the Bearcats wrap up the month with home contests versus North Georgia (March 25) and Limestone (March 31).
Lander faces North Greenville on the road in the regular-season finale (Apr. 11).
The PBC Championships return to Florence, S.C., from April 20-22. The Bearcats have won 11 PBC championships and eight regular-season titles.
Admission for all home Lander tennis matches is free.
