Pepperdine Waves Men’s Tennis Set for ITA Kickoff Weekend Showdown in Starkville

Exciting Times Ahead for Pepperdine Men’s Tennis in Starkville!

Malibu, Calif. – The Pepperdine Waves men’s tennis team is gearing up for an exhilarating challenge as they dive into the 2024-25 season. From January 24 to 27, 2025, they will head to Starkville, Mississippi, to compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Kickoff Weekend.

What We Know So Far

Coming in as the 4-seed in the Starkville Regional, the Waves will face off against the formidable 1-seed and host team, Mississippi State, in the opening round. Joining them in this esteemed competition are the 2-seed NC State and the 3-seed LSU. It’s clear that these four teams are bringing their A-game, as all of them made it to the NCAA Tournament just a few months back.

A New Format with More Action

This year, the ITA Kickoff Weekend will introduce a fresh tournament format with 56 teams battling it out at 14 host sites. The aim? To secure a spot in the final showdown of the ITA National Indoor Championships, hosted at Baylor and SMU in February 2025.

Reflections on the Past

For the Waves, this will be their first appearance at the ITA Kickoff Weekend since 2023, when they faced off against Texas A&M and Georgia Tech at the Palo Alto Regional. Historically, Pepperdine holds a slim lead in their series against Mississippi State, with a record of 2 wins and 3 losses. Interestingly, the last time these two teams collided was way back in 2003!

A Personal Connection to Starkville

There’s a little extra motivation for the Waves this year. Their associate head coach Tassilo Schmid played college tennis at Mississippi State for two years, making this trip even more special for him.

Looking Ahead

The Waves are on a mission! After a solid performance last season, where they went 14-12 and proudly shared the West Coast Conference regular-season title, the team is eyeing their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. If their dedication and teamwork carry through, there’s no telling what they can achieve!

Support and Spirit

As the countdown to the ITA Kickoff Weekend begins, fans, alumni, and supporters are rallying around the team, ready to cheer them on. Whether planning to make the trip to Starkville or cheering from home, every cheer counts. After all, college sports thrive on community and support!

Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s watch as the Pepperdine Waves prepare to make waves in Starkville.