This weekend men’s and women’s tennis teams will be battling across the country at the 2023 ITA Kickoff Weekend. A unique tradition within the colligate tennis world, the event not only provides teams with the opportunity to compete against schools they typically would not play during their regular season, but also earn a spot in the 2023 ITA National Indoor Championship. With 15 different schools hosting a total of four teams, today we will highlight each of the region and place them within the following categories:

Men’s Kickoff Weekend

These Hosts are Sailing too Indoors:

# 1. Virginia

Opponents: Ole Miss, Princeton, and Nevada

The reigning national champions look to continue their winning ways in 2023, and so far, they are off to a great start. Coming into to the weekend hot off of a four-match winning streak, which includes a 4-0 victory over #11 Baylor. Of the teams coming to Charlottesville none of them have enough depth within their lineups  to challenge the Cavaliers.

#14 Wake Forest

Opponents: #20 Duke, # 25 Auburn, and Middle Tennessee

Though they play #25 Auburn in their opening round, the Demon Deacons, who recently dismantled #6 Tennessee, have shown they have the grit to battle it out against the toughest competition. Therefore, something quite unimaginable would have to happen to not see this host to advance to Indoors.

#5 Michigan

Opponent’s: #24 Northwestern, Arkansas, and Cal Poly

When you got it, you got it, and Michigan definitely has it. Already riding high on a 4-0-win streak, they will most likely play conference counterpart Northwestern in finals,  a team they have not lost too in the last five plus years.

# 2 Ohio State

Opponents: Oregon, Tulsa, and Central Florida

Todd Tucker has built a program around the basis of always taking care of business and with Ohio being the lone top 25 team at their event, this should be another day in the office for the Buckeyes.

#8 USC

Opponents: UCLA, Memphis, and Vanderbilt

USC is slowly rebuilding itself back to the national championship winning level they once had and its looks like their success will continue. Facing what will most likely be conference rival UCLA, the Trojans should have no trouble against the Bruins.

#3 TCU

Opponents: Utah, Texas Tech, and Gonzaga

The defending indoor champs are ready to begin their title defense in Fort Worth and looking at the draw they should have no issues booking their trip to come February

#6 Tennessee

Opponents: Oklahoma, Charlotte, Louisiana

Now there was a bit of caution involved when evaluating and ultimately place Tennessee in the smooth sailing category. With the recent loss to Wake Forrest, I can say that I am all in for the Vols, however given the realities of their draw, there really is no reason as to why Tennessee should not advance.

#9 South Carolina

Opponents: #21N.C. State, VCU, and Penn

South Carolina has been pretty solid throughout the years, so there should be no reason that they do not advance through the weekend.

#4 Kentucky

Opponents: Notre Dame, Washington, and Liberty

The Wildcats are already looking good as they start the season of 3-0 and will more than likely continue to collect wins throughout the weekend.

Trouble in Paradise

# 7 Texas

Opponents: Arizona, Florida Atlantic, and California

Texas season got off to a rocky start, as multiple players within their lineup have dealt with persistent injuries. And though they were able to bounce back, they will more than likely face Arizona in the finals, a team that who narrowly beat them 4-3 last year and could very well do it again.

# 11 Baylor

Opponents: #10 Florida State, San Diego, and Arizona State

Though they are the host team they are not the highest seed, as Florida State comes to the tournament ranked one spot above them. And with Baylor already taking a brutal 0-4 loss to Virginia, moral will not be highest for the Bears, thus leaving them vulnerable for an upset.

#  12 Georgia

Opponents: Louisville, Miami, and LSU

There only one word to describe Georgia seasons so far and that is bad. Starting their season off with a poor showing at the Miami Spring Invite and then going 0-2 in dual match play, the Bulldogs are really going to have figure something if they do not want to get upset by two very hungry and capable teams in Miami and Louisville.

Up for Grabs:

# 18 UNC

Opponents- #16 Harvard, #23 Columbia, and Oklahoma State

This region is jammed packed as #16 UNC is joined by two ranked opponents #16 Harvard and #23 Columbia. These ivy league schools have been rapidly rising after having two of their seasons derailed by covid. With Columbia even taking a win off of UNC last year. So Tarheel are going to survive they’re going to have to bring more than their A- game

#13 Stanford

Opponents: #19 Pepperdine, #23 Texas A&M, and Georgia Tech

Usually when a field is this closely contested it is a positive. But for the Stanford’s Kick Off not so much.  Though the host has 2-1 record going in their one loss does not look good while the bottom half of the draw with Pepperdine and Texas A&M are 0-1 to start the season, so both teams will be looking bounce back and get their season going in the right direction. Thus it looks like it’s going to be coin toss as to who advances in this section.

#17 Florida

Opponents: Mississippi State, SMU, and South Florida

Since winning the 2021 NCAA Championship, Florida as team has struggled to regain that level of form and have subsequently been free falling in the rankings. They should advance given the uncertainty between who will advance between SMU and Mississippi State and with Florida already taking loss for the year it looks like the matches may come down to which team truly wants it the most.

Women’s Kickoff Event

These Hosts are Sailing too Indoors:

#10 Pepperdine

Opponents: Columbia, Memphis, and Clemson

Even though the Waves enter the ITA Kick off weekend with no dual match play, as the Cal matchup was rescheduled for an undisclosed reason. Given the overall experience of this seven-woman team, they should have no problem cruising through the weekend, that is of course if every players shows up healthy and ready to play

#9 Virginia

Opponents: Northwestern, South Carolina, and Washington State

The departure of Emma Navarro leaves a big hole to fill at the top of the lineup, but the Cavaliers have already shown that they have plenty of options. Already 2-0 for the season, Virginia should have no problem continue to this success throughout the weekend.

#8 Stanford

Opponents: Florida State, Arkansas, and Kansas State

It seems like Stanford is slowly returning back to form as they should have no problem advancing through their region and return to the National Indoors for the first time in over three years.

#6 Duke

Opponents: Wisconsin, SMU, and VCU

Not much to say for the Blue Devils other than “we’ll see y’all at Indoors”.

#12 California

Opponents: #25 Georgia Tech, San Diego

Cal has look good so far in the opening half of their season. They will most likely meet a strong Georgia Tech team, but it is really unlikely that the Golden Bears do not walk away with the win.

#2 UNC

Opponents: Utah, Charlotte, and Maryland

These ITA Indoor addicts have not only qualified for the tournament for the last three years but have also won each time. And judging by their region this year, it looks like they will begin their campaign for a fourth title without a hitch.

#4 North Carolina State

Opponents: #21, Furman, and Illinois

NC State has had quite the two weeks in spotlight as their player, Danna Shnaider, had a breakout performance in Australian Open and it looks like the Russian talents will most likely bring those winning ways with her to Raleigh. Yet it will not be walk in the park for the Wolfpack, as they will most likely face a resurging Vanderbilt team in the finals. But with a line as deep as States, they should be able to push through with the win.

#5 Texas A&M

Opponents: #18 Florida, Arizona, Florida Atlantic

Loaded from top to bottom of their line the Texas A&M should have no problem with the teams in their event.

#17 Ohio 

Opponents:  #24 Tennessee, Wake Forest, Old Dominion

After a successful weekend that saw Ohio defeat #4 Oklahoma, moral is definitely running high and with the Buckeyes playing at home they should have the advantage. But of course, they need to be careful. Day one they will play Old Dominion who caused multiple upsets at last years event.

Trouble In Paradise:

#1 Texas

Opponents: Baylor, Loyola Marymount, and Fresno State

Yes, a bit of a shocking given the fact that they are the #1 team in the country, however it hard to argue that the current Texas team possess the same caliber as the team the that won 2022 NCAA National Championship. With the departure of both Peyton Stearns and Kylie Collins, key contributors to the team’s success, the Longhorns are currently going through a rebuilding phase, and with conference opponent Baylor, who narrowly lost to the Longhorns 3-4 last season, could very well get the better of them this time around. It would not be surprising to see the Longhorns upset in the finals.

#7 Georgia

Opponents: #14 USC, Notre Dame, and Steson

An upset waiting to happen as Georgia will most likely face USC in the finals. Each teams have strong line up, but with USC causing a major upset at last year’s kickoff event and with the addition of superstar freshman Madison Sieg, one things is for sure it will not be smooth sailing for these bulldogs throughout the weekend.

#4 Oklahoma:

Opponents: Texas Tech, Tulsa, Minnesota

 Though Oklahoma is the only team ranked within the top 25, the poor performance they had last weekend, where they lost to both Michigan and Ohio State, somethings definitely going to have to change if the Sooners are going to shake this streak, or else they leave themselves vulnerable for an upset.

Up for Grabs

#11 Miami

Opponents: #16 UCLA, #22 Iowa State, and Florida International

Miami has Alexa Noel, so we can assume that one point is already on lock for the Hurricanes, but it’s difficult to say if the rest of the lineup will be able to hold up against the highly experienced UCLA or the grit and determination of Iowa State. Another region where it really is anyone game.

#15 Auburn

Opponents #19 Arizona State #23 Central Florida and UC Santa Barbra

With numerous teams within four ranking spots of each other, this means anyone has a chance of booking their trip to Indoors this year. Auburn should precede but with ASU currently riding high off a five-match win streak and the general depth and experience of Central Florida, each team has a chance to proceeded

#13 Oklahoma State

Opponents: #20 Michigan, Kansas, and Oregon

Michigan is playing light outs” tennis at the moment and clearly have the talent to beat a top 4 team so why should # 13 Oklahoma State be a challenge to them. But you can not count Kansas or Oregon out either as they both come into the weekend undefeated.

Where to Watch

You can catch all the action happy over Kick of Weekend on the  Cracked Racquets  YouTube page. Coverage begins Friday Jan 27 at 6:45 PT/ 9:45 ET.  

Broadcasts will begin with the day’s first match and proceed until all play has concluded. You can find each day’s broadcast link below:

• ITA Kickoff Broadcast: Day 1 [Friday, Jan 27]
• ITA Kickoff Broadcast: Day 2 [Saturday, Jan 27]
• ITA Kickoff Broadcast: Day 3 [Sunday, Jan 27]
• ITA Kickoff Broadcast: Day 4 [Monday, Jan 27]

You can also follow the draw at Slam Tennis.