Mississippi’s Nik Scholtz celebrates after defeating USC’s Yannick Hanfmann during an NCAA college tennis match in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2014. Scholtz won 7-5 7-6 (5). (Photo/Ignacio Murillo)
All-American Nik Scholtz would like nothing better than to lead the Ole Miss men’s tennis team back to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, but he also has a goal of winning an NCAA Singles Championship.
Scholtz, who was named SEC Player of the Year last week, will begin his quest for an individual title May 21. He earned the SEC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Singles Championship as a 9-16 seed. It marks the third straight year for Scholtz to be seeded in the field of 64.
The Caledon, South Africa, native reached the Elite Eight in his freshman campaign in 2012 on his way to becoming the 27th All-American in the history of the program, but last year he lost in the first round. This year Scholtz hopes to make a run for the title.
“I am feeling really confident right now, and, physically, I feel as good as I ever have,” Scholtz said. “I really want to make a run this year. My freshman year I was able to make the top eight, but the biggest reason I lost was physically I wasn’t fit enough; my body couldn’t hold up to even challenge the guy in the quarterfinals. This year, I feel like if I go out there and fight hard and have the right mentality, I can definitely make something happen.”
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.
The Rebels earned their 21st consecutive NCAA Team Championship bid and will head to South Bend, Ind., next weekend to face Northwestern in the first round Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m.
