The James Madison University men’s tennis team, under the guidance of Head Coach Steve Secord, has released an ambitious schedule for the upcoming spring dual-match season. The Dukes will compete in a total of 20 matches, with nine taking place at home. The lineup includes eight opponents from Virginia, seven of which are non-conference matchups. The season begins with a tough away match against North Carolina and continues with a mix of home and away games, including several in-state rivals and key Sun Belt Conference contests.

Season Kickoff: Early Challenges and Home Court Advantage

The early part of the season sets the tone for the Dukes, who will face formidable challenges right from the start. The team opens with a high-profile match outside their state before transitioning into a series of home and away games that test both their endurance and skill. This initial phase also provides opportunities to showcase their talent against local competition.

The season kicks off with an away match against North Carolina on January 19th, marking one of the first major tests for the Dukes. Following this, they return to their home turf to play Longwood on January 25th at the East Campus Tennis Courts. After a brief road trip to VCU and Liberty, JMU hosts George Mason on February 8th. The team then embarks on a three-match trip, facing Radford, Davidson, and Queens. These early encounters provide valuable experience and preparation for the more intense conference play later in the season.

Sun Belt Conference Play and Season Finale

As the season progresses, the focus shifts to Sun Belt Conference matches and preparing for the championship. The Dukes will travel to Atlanta for their first conference game against Georgia State, followed by a non-conference match at Mercer. The team returns home for a series of matches before embarking on a crucial conference road trip. The regular season concludes with two important matches, culminating in Senior Day.

The Sun Belt Conference play begins in mid-March when the Dukes travel to Atlanta to face Georgia State on March 16th. The following day, they play a non-conference match at Mercer. Returning home, JMU hosts Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern, setting the stage for a pivotal three-match conference road trip to Troy, South Alabama, and Old Dominion. The regular season wraps up with matches against Louisiana and Southern Miss, the latter being a special Senior Day celebration. Finally, the Sun Belt Championship takes place from April 18-20 at the Rome Tennis Center in Georgia, where the winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. This finale promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the season.