Mississippi State to face Virginia in NCAA men’s tennis quarterfinals

ATHENS, Ga. — Mississippi State’s men’s tennis team will compete in the NCAA quarterfinals Thursday, facing No. 5 Virginia at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central Time.

The Bulldogs advanced after defeating Tennessee Tech, Wisconsin, and Georgia in the tournament. Virginia reached the quarterfinals with wins over Rider, Columbia, and South Carolina. The teams met earlier this season at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships, where Virginia won 4-1.

In that previous meeting, Mississippi State claimed the doubles point with victories from Petar Jovanovic and Benito Sanchez Martinez, and Mario Martinez Serrano and Michal Novansky. However, Virginia secured four singles wins to clinch the match. The Cavaliers won all six opening sets on their courts and ultimately secured the victory.

Mississippi State’s season has been marked by strong performances, including back-to-back Super Regional wins over Georgia and victories over Tennessee Tech and Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament. The team is ranked sixth nationally, with five players in the ITA singles rankings, led by Sanchez Martinez at No. 9. The Bulldogs also boast the second-highest-ranked player in the SEC.

Head coach Matt Roberts, in his record 237th win, leads a team with a deep roster of experienced players. Senior Petar Jovanovic and Sanchez Martinez are returning ITA Doubles All-Americans, with Jovanovic also earning NCAA Singles All-American honors. The Bulldogs have a history of success, tying their 2025 record of 25 wins for the most in program history.

Mississippi State holds a 0-3 all-time record against Virginia but aims to break that streak in Thursday’s matchup. Fans can follow the action via live stream and live stats, and updates will be available on the team’s social media channels.

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