Guaranteeing his incredible season has at least one more match, FGCU\u00a0men\u2019s tennis junior\u00a0Jordi Viveswas selected as an automatic qualifier to the 2014 NCAA Men\u2019s Tennis Individual Championship,\u00a0announced by the NCAA Division I Men\u2019s Tennis Subcommittee\u00a0on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n
The singles and doubles competition will be conducted May 21-26 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga., following the conclusion of the team championship, which runs from May 15-20. The University of Georgia will serve as host.<\/p>\n
Ranked 50th by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association\u00a0Vives (Barcelona, Spain\/IES Ferran Tallada\/USC)\u00a0was selected as one of 17 automatic qualifiers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an incredible moment for Jordi and for our program,\u201d head coach CJ Weber said. \u201cWe are honored and excited to have representation in the most prestigious event in college tennis. This is something incredible that Jordi has earned through his consistent efforts throughout the season and now it\u2019s time to prepare to do some damage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Becoming the first from FGCU to earn a spot in the championship, the Spaniard\u2019s qualification is a result of his 34-4 overall record, which includes a 20-2 result playing one singles in each of the spring\u2019s dual matches. After ending his fall campaign with nine-straight wins, Vives opened the spring season with victories over then-No. 36 Florida State and then-No. 60 Nebraska, increasing his streak to 11, which at the time was the longest in the nation. After establishing his reign on Jan. 23, the Barcelona native extended his streak to 14, before falling to Auburn\u2019s Daniel Cochrane, then-ranked 112th, on Feb. 7.<\/p>\n
Vives\u2019 success on the season garnered him recognition in the Atlantic Sun Conference as he was named A-Sun Player of the Year, to the All-Conference First Team, to the Academic All-Conference Team and to the All-Tournament Team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really glad to represent FGCU in such a grand tournament,\u201d Vives said. \u201cI really appreciate the support that I have received from my coach, my teammates and the fans. I\u2019m looking forward to practicing really hard these next two weeks so I can show what this program is about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of the 64 players listed to the field Vives has faced two this season, earning a win against each. During his fall tour Vives beat Jason Tahir of Duke and Leandro Toledo of Minnesota, all leading to his win of November\u2019s Dick Vitale Invite. In the Eagles dual match against Minnesota Vives and Toledo met again where the Golden Gopher claimed a win.<\/p>\n
The junior is no stranger to the championship tournament or its host school as Vives, a transfer from USC, attended the 2012 contest in Athens where the Trojans were crowned national champions. Although he did not compete at NCAAs, Vives appeared in five matches during his rookie season at USC, posting a record of 4-1.<\/p>\n