The University of San Diego men’s tennis program has a rich tradition of success.
Even by that standard, this is big.
On Saturday, the No. 6 Toreros (24-3) will face Big West regular-season and conference tournament champion UC Irvine (17-5) in the first round of the NCAA Division I men’s tennis playoffs. The winner of the 1 p.m. match will advance to take on either USC (14-10) or Arizona State (12-11) on Sunday.
For the first time in program history, USD is hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAAs. Should the Toreros advance through the weekend, they’ll host again next week.
The Toreros reached new heights this season with a school-record 22 team victories. The deep, talented, experienced and close-knit team has a chance to make a run at a national title.
“Culture is such a cliche word — I don’t like to use that word — but the family atmosphere these players have created is special,” said USD coach Ryan Keckley, who has guided the program since 2015. “The ability to push each other and push one another’s buttons along the way. Just the chemistry they have on and off the court has just been fantastic. They live together, play together, study together. The whole song and dance. The success they’ve had, especially in some big moments — and there have been a lot of big moments that have gone our way — has everything to do with the practice habits they put forward every single day.”
The Toreros enter the weekend hot after taking last weekend’s West Coast Conference Tournament. They won the WCC regular-season title and were particularly strong in closely contested matches, going 5-1 in best-of-seven full-length 4-3 decisions, several after being down multiple points.
Junior Oliver Tarvet was named WCC Player of the Year for the second time. Keckley won his fifth career WCC Coach of the Year Award, and Adrien Berrut was named Freshman of the Year.
Tarvet is ranked third in the nation after 18-1 in singles with seven wins over top-25 opponents and a victory over No.1-ranked Michael Zheng of Columbia. His only loss was the result of a medical retirement.
Tarvet and junior Stiaan Klaasen form the nation’s No. 5-ranked doubles tandem, while senior Savriyan Danilov, playing in the No. 2 singles slot, is 16-4 and ranked 78th nationally.
College tennis is known for providing a lively atmosphere, and Keckley is expecting big crowds at Hogan Tennis Center.
“Hopefully, we can pack the whole place: 400, 450, 500 people,” Keckley said. “You know, get the fire marshal out here wondering what’s going on. Just make it a truly enjoyable experience, not only for our guys but to have San Diego see our product. Our product is very special. The performance these guys put on. … anytime someone comes out to see us play, they want to come back. So, let’s make it special.”
