NCAA women's tennis tournament: Kansas reaches second-straight

LAWRENCE — Kansas women’s tennis reaching the NCAA tournament, Todd Chapman said recently, is the standard.

Chapman, the Jayhawks’ head coach, didn’t say that to mean they shouldn’t enjoy doing it. He didn’t say that because he thinks anyone should take for granted the fact that they have reached this point. It’s just that, when Chapman thinks about Kansas reaching the NCAA tournament this year, that’s where his mind goes.

But, considering the Jayhawks have now made the NCAA tournament in back-to-back years for the first time since 2018-19, there’s added perspective that comes with this appearance. It’s a sign that Kansas is getting back to what it was accomplishing prior to the pandemic with Chapman at the helm. And that means the potential to do more than just make two-straight NCAA tournaments.

“I just think it’s getting back to the consistency we had from 2016 to 2019, when we made four-straight,” Chapman said. “We were in position the following year when COVID hit, we were in a good spot, probably in a really good position to make it a fifth year in a row. And then we had some unfortunate things with COVID and some recruits not being able to get to campus in 2020, so we missed the tournament that year. And so, I think it’s just reestablishing the consistency of our program.”

This season, Chapman explained, the NCAA tournament appearance comes from the Jayhawks’ success in its top singles spots and consistent play in doubles. That saw super-senior Malkia Ngounoue earn All-Big 12 Conference first-team honors in singles. That saw Ngounoue and Heike Janse Van Vuuren, who’s on the conference’s all-freshman team, earn All-Big 12 second-team honors in doubles.

Chapman doesn’t think the team has, as a whole, played its best tennis yet this season. So, there is some disappointment amid the success. But he also views that as something to look forward to, something they could accomplish when they face Charlotte in the first round Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Doing that, would mean the bottom of its lineup not succumbing to the nerves that can come with inexperience. It’s surprised Chapman at times that something like that has affected them, because he likes the depth his side has. But it has been something that has held them back.

“I think we’re in a good spot right now, but it comes down to you either want to be in the fire this time of year in these big pressure matches and moments, or it’s something you feel like you’re not prepared for and/or kind of panic,” Chapman said. “And so, I think if we don’t panic and we’re excited to be in the fight, then I think we’re a tough team to beat.”

Kansas does have some challenges when it comes to its draw, too. Chapman anticipates Charlotte will be excited because it’s the first time that program has reached the NCAA tournament. And even if the Jayhawks win and advance, they could face a North Carolina State team Chapman views as being among the favorites to win a championship.

But as Chapman reflected on that challenge, he also welcomed it. He declined to look at it as a negative. Instead, he described it as an opportunity.

“If we’re … fortunate enough to advance past Charlotte,” Chapman said, “then hopefully we’re excited to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the country.”

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.