10-Seeded Baylor MT Hosts Pepperdine in NCAA Super Regionals

[Hutton, Josie]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – May 7, 2026

10-Seeded Baylor MT Hosts Pepperdine in NCAA Super Regionals
Bears playing for a spot in the Elite 8 on Friday night at 6 p.m. CT
For more information contact: Josie Hutton; 254-709-7720, josie_hutton at baylor.edu<mailto:josie_hutton at baylor.edu>



WACO, Texas – No. 10 seed Baylor men’s tennis continues its NCAA Tournament run into the Sweet 16 to take on Pepperdine at 6 p.m. CT on Friday, May 8 at the Hurd Tennis Center. This marks the first time Baylor has advanced and hosted a Super Regional match in the NCAA Tournament since 2022.



These two squads previously competed against each other earlier this spring in March at the UTR Collegiate Championship in Indian Wells, California, with Baylor coming away with a 4-1 win in the event’s final.



Fans looking to attend Friday night’s match can expect a variety of family-fun actives, including free admission and free food. Additionally, there will be a kids zone, cornhole, coloring station, posterboard making station, face painter, sandbox station, and a foam glowstick giveaway.



Baylor (24-9) ranked 11th-nationally, enter the Super Regional round following dominant performances in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Tulsa 4-0 and No. 22 Auburn 4-1. Against Auburn, Alexandru Chirita and Zsombor Velcz took down the No. 11-ranked doubles pairing of Freddy and Billy Blaydes, 6-3, while No. 10-ranked Devin Badenhorst defeated No. 22-ranked Hamza Nasridinov in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.



Pepperdine’s (19-9) road to Waco included two significant victories over No. 39 Michigan, 4-2, and No. 7 LSU, 4-3, in the Baton Rouge Regional to punch its ticket to the Sweet 16, the only team in the entire NCAA field to upset a top-eight seeded opponent. Ranked No. 27 in the ITA rankings, the Waves feature the No. 49-ranked doubles pairing of Edward Winter and David Fix.



The Bears have had success for the 2026 season, defeating four top-10 teams including reigning national champions Wake Forest and No. 1 ranked undefeated Ohio State both at home. Down the stretch, BU is 12-2 in its last 14 matches. The Bears look to defend its home court advantage, as Baylor is 38-1 all-time when hosting postseason matches and 17-2 this season at home.



Baylor’s Badenhorst, the 2026 Co-Big 12 Player of the Year, remains ranked No. 10 in the national rankings. Zsombor Velcz is ranked No. 42, while Connor Van Schalkwyk is ranked No. 49. The doubles pairing of Velcz and Chirita holds the No. 69 ranking, while Van Schalkwyk and Koenig are ranked No. 89.



The winner of Baylor versus Pepperdine will face the winner of (2) Texas versus (16) San Diego in the NCAA Quarterfinals, with that match set on Thursday, May 14, in Athens, Georgia.



To stay up to date, follow the team on its official Facebook, X and Instagram accounts: @BaylorMTennis



 - BaylorBears.com -


Josie Hutton | Associate Director of Athletics Communications (MBB, FB, MTEN)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: (254) 709-7720
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