Tennis, softball sites to host NCAA regional events

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Tennis Complex at Yahoola Creek has been selected as a host site for next month's men's and women's NCAA Division II Southeast Region championships. UNG will also host the NCAA Division II Southeast Region softball championship at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park.

"We are excited to host these events, including the tennis regionals for the first time in school history and the softball regional for the seventh consecutive time," UNG Director of Athletics Mary Rob Plunkett said. "We will now shift our focus to preparing to showcase our first-class facilities in a safe and healthy environment for all student-athletes, coaches and spectators while also giving our student-athletes the opportunity to compete in front of their friends and family here in Dahlonega."

Regional tennis play will take place May 7-11 in Dahlonega. The men's championship will be contested on May 9 with the women's on May 11. The winner from each regional will advance to the NCAA Division II championships set for May 18-21 in Surprise, Arizona.

The men's tennis tournament will feature the top six teams from the Southeast Region, while the women's tennis tournament will bring together the top five teams to compete for a spot at the national site. As of the initial regional rankings published in mid-April, both Nighthawk teams are under consideration for spots in the regional events.

Participating teams will be announced May 4. The men's tennis selection show will air at 8 p.m. on ncaa.com, with the women's show to broadcast immediately after on the same website.

Regional softball play will take place May 19-21 in Dahlonega. The winners from each of the eight regionals held around the country will advance to the 2021 NCAA Division II Softball Championship in Denver May 27-31.

The Southeast Regional will see six teams competing for a spot in the national softball bracket. As of the initial regional rankings published in mid-April, UNG's softball team is under consideration for a regional spot.

Participating teams will be announced May 16, and the selection show will air on ncaa.com at 10 a.m.

Due to COVID-19 protocols, all NCAA championship competitions are being held at predetermined sites, instead of hosts being determined by rankings. The committee said the sites and hosts chosen will provide an exceptional and safe experience for all participants.

In this season's predetermined host format, UNG also hosted the NCAA women's basketball South Regional on the Dahlonega Campus.