SMU Men’s and Women’s Tennis advance to NCAA Tournament – The Daily Campus

SMU men’s and women’s tennis teams headed to the NCAA Tournament on May 2, both lasting two rounds, after standout spring seasons that showcased the rapid rise of both programs.

For the Mustangs, the NCAA bids represent more than just postseason appearances. The men’s team entered the tournament after a 15-8 season that included major ACC victories and wins over ranked opponents, while the women finished 15-7 overall and 7-5 in conference play in SMU’s second year in the ACC. Both programs continued building momentum on the national stage.

The SMU men’s team enters the tournament after a season defined by resilience, major wins and confidence against some of the nation’s top competition.

Sophomore Noah McDonald said one of the team’s biggest turning points came after a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to then No. 1 Ohio State at the National Team Indoors Championship.

“The biggest challenge the team had to overcome this season was probably bouncing back to beat Arizona State after losing to Ohio State,” McDonald said. “It was super tough being so close and not being able to get over the hump, but everyone showed up and came back the next day pumped up and ready to go.”

McDonald said he believed early on the Mustangs had NCAA Tournament potential, especially after successful matches against North Carolina and Duke.

“I felt that we could make the tournament from early in the season, especially when we went 4-3 with Ohio State,” McDonald said. “When we beat UNC and Duke at home in the same weekend was another point that I felt really confident we would make it.”

Graduate student Alex Finkelstein said the team’s chemistry has been key to the men’s success this season.

“What makes our team special is that we are talented, have great depth and are gritty,” Finkelstein said. “We have demonstrated that we are able to compete and win at every spot in the lineup consistently.”

Finkelstein said the team’s bond off the court has translated directly into success on it.

“Our chemistry and culture has been amazing,” Finkelstein said. “We are all great friends off the court, and that has helped us with our camaraderie on the court.”

The men’s NCAA bid also shows their progress for the program in its ACC era.

“The NCAA berth shows that SMU tennis is on an upward trajectory,” Finkelstein said. “We have quadrupled our number of ACC wins from last year. We really are building something special here.”

Now, the focus turns to making noise in the postseason.

“For us to make a deep run, executing in the big moments under pressure will be huge,” Finkelstein said. “The doubles point is also really important.”

On the women’s side, the NCAA Tournament appearance marks another major step forward for a team. Freshman Addison Comiskey said earning a tournament bid has been especially meaningful in her first year with the program.

“Making the NCAA Tournament means a lot to me,” Comiskey said. “I feel so grateful to be a part of such an amazing group of girls and a program that is so supportive of all of us.”

Comiskey said the season has brought major growth in her game and confidence.

“I’ve grown so much as a player, not just level wise but also mentally,” Comiskey said. “I have so much more belief in myself and enjoy being on court and competing so much more than I did before joining SMU.”

Comiskey added that her development has come from both personal work and a coaching staff focused on improvement.

“I think I’ve improved the most on my shot variation and my net play,” Comiskey said. “My coaches are super development-focused and have helped me improve many skills.”

Comiskey said there was a point in the season when the team began to see what they were capable of.

“I think midway through the season when we were playing top teams and coming close to them, was when I realized we were at that level,” Comiskey said. “But I never doubted that we could make the tournament.”

Beyond wins and rankings, Comiskey said the season has reshaped her mindset as a player.

“The most significant thing this season has taught me is to play for something bigger than myself,” Comiskey said. “Playing on a team that I love is the most important to me.”

With both programs now in the NCAA, SMU tennis is enjoying one of its strongest collective seasons in recent memory, and neither team plans on stopping at just making the tournament.

“We are super dangerous and can beat any team in the country,” Finkelstein said. “We look forward to riding that momentum into the postseason.”