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The Daily Tar Heel

Need summer plans? Five UNC sports teams are in contention for hosting NCAA events

Ashton McGee Swinging

The UNC baseball team hosted the 2017 Chapel Hill Regional last summer, its first time hosting NCAA Tournament games since 2013.

As UNC's spring sports finish up their regular seasons and prepare for the postseason, Chapel Hill could be the site for several NCAA events this summer. Here is a rundown of five teams who could end up playing early tournament games and matches in friendly territory.

Tennis

The No. 7 men’s tennis team (18-4, 9-1 ACC) is one of the hottest teams in its respective sport in the country. These Tar Heels have won 10 of their last 12 matches and hung around as one of the nation's top-10 teams with only two games left on their schedule. 

Behind the leadership of freshmen Blaine Boyden (19-0) and William Blumberg, UNC could host an NCAA tournament regional with a strong end to its season. North Carolina will play its last two matches on the road before returning to the Triangle for the ACC Championships in Cary. 

First-year Ben Sigouin celebrates during a match against Virginia on April 1 at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center.

The top-ranked women’s tennis team has been even more impressive than the men’s team. Sporting a 22-2 record, these Tar Heels have won six straight matches.

After dominating their past two opponents, winning both matches 7-0, head coach Brian Kalbas and his team have put together a compelling case to host an NCAA regional match. UNC will play two more regular season matches before heading to the ACC Championships — which will also be in Cary.

Makenna Jones follow through on a return shot against Virginia on April 13 at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center.

If one or both of the North Carolina tennis teams hosts a regional, they will take place May 11 through May 13. If the Tar Heels advance to the NCAA Championships, they will travel to Winston-Salem on May 17. 

A season ago, the women's tennis team hosted three regional tennis matches in Chapel Hill. The men's team also hosted one regionals match and two NCAA Tournament matches. 

Baseball

Another team with a realistic shot at hosting an NCAA regional is the No. 15 North Carolina (24-13, 12-6 ACC) baseball team. The Tar Heels currently have the No. 8 RPI in the country, despite not being ranked in the top 10. 

UNC overcame a slow start this the season and has risen back into the top 25 after winning 17 of its last 23 games before losing Tuesday to NC State. While North Carolina may be playing well, hosting an NCAA regional is far from guaranteed. The Tar Heels will close out their season with eight of their final 18 games against ranked opponents.

REMINGTON carries a bottle of Gatorade back to the dugout against Florida State on March 23.

If UNC baseball does host a regional, it will take place from June 1 to June 4. North Carolina will also have the opportunity to host a super regional if it can win its regional.

Last season, UNC hosted Davidson, Michigan and Florida Gulf Coast at home. The Tar Heels were beaten twice by the Wildcats to end their season.

Lacrosse

The No. 5 women’s lacrosse team is another spring team that could end up hosting an NCAA regional. After a strong season, the Tar Heels (11-3, 5-1 ACC) will certainly be in the postseason.

Katie Hoeg (8) celebrates a goal against no. 1 ranked Maryland on Saturday, Feb. 24.

UNC has won five straight games, including a dominant 22-3 victory over Canisius College. North Carolina will host one more regular season game against Duke on Saturday before entering the ACC Tournament in Durham. If the Tar Heels can continue to play at the same level as they have all season, they could host early round matchups.

Last season, the Tar Heels played two matches at home during the NCAA tournament, beating Virginia, then losing to Navy the next week for the last game at Fetzer Field before construction started.

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@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com