One Win Away from National Championship Match, We Look at NC State Tennis’ Meteoric Rise

I very much look forward to a future article/conversation on this year in Wolfpack sports. Can’t remember a time when everybody just kept winning. Yet, with all the accolades and attention other sports are getting, State’s Women’s Tennis team needs some more love.

Friday morning in Orlando, State takes on #2 Texas for a chance to play in the NCAA National Championship Match. Coming off their 4-2 upset of #3 Georgia, this run is unprecedented for Wolfpack tennis.

The Season at a Glance

State is 20-5 on the season (10-3 ACC), with four of those losses being against ranked opponents. At moments the team was nearly unstoppable, with streaks outscoring opponents 26-2 (4 matches) and  28-5 (5 matches). The team went the distance from week 1 rankings through current, placing in the top-25 in the country.

While singles have been steady, 120-57 overall, it’s their double performances that have stood out as the difference. A .755 winning percentage and 17-9 record against nationally ranked teams is outstanding.  The pairing of Jaeda Daniel and Adriana Reami are currently on a 7-match win streak after going 24-5 on the season.

Simon Earnshaw is Wildly Underrated

I wrote a piece in March on “Best Current State Coach”, and it already has an INCREDIBLY GLARING error. I mention Track and Field, Cross Country and Swim, beyond the main debate of Wes Moore and Pat Popolizio. But my God, I need to show some love for Mr. Earnshaw.

May 14, 2014 is a very important day for this program. It’s when Simon Earshaw was brought onboard as the new Women’s Tennis coach. The 2013-14 squad put together a 8-14 (2-12 ACC) record. State had moments of glory but ultimately, the seasons normally ended under .500 and just about dead last in the ACC. Outside of his first year, State has finished above .500 each and every season. The last three?

2018: 24-7
2019: 18-3 (between WBB and WT, can’t even begin to dream of what the eventual outcome could have been had COVID not f*cked everything up.)
2020: 20-5

The abbreviated 2019 season still had a bright spot, as Earnshaw was named ACC Women’s Tennis Coach of the Year. In just his seven year run, he has the most wins in program history, most conference win in program history, program’s first All-Americans and now the programs first Final Four birth.

National Stage

The Wolfpack is matched up against the beasts from Austin, as #2 Texas is their semifinal opponent. Texas is currently 29-1, their lone loss a nail biter against #1 UNC 3-4.

You can follow along with Live Scores of the 11am match or watch live on the TennisONE app.