NEW HAVEN, Conn. — For the first time since 1977, Yale is back in the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship. The Bulldogs earned an at-large berth and will head to Urbana, Illinois to face the host, No. 14 Fighting Illini, in the first round on Friday, May 1, as announced during the selection show on Monday. 
 
The appearance marks Yale's second trip to the NCAA championship, and the first in decades. The program's last NCAA tournament team (1977) recorded 16 victories during a standout season. That squad competed at a time when the NCAA tournament field was significantly smaller and more exclusive, underscoring the accomplishment of earning a bid. Known for its depth and disciplined play, that team set a benchmark that has stood for nearly half a century.
 
Led by interim head coach Eduardo Ugalde, Yale enters postseason play after a strong regular season that produced 16 wins, its most since the 2016–17 campaign, and is most recently ranked No. 44 in the ITA national rankings. The Bulldogs' notable victories this spring included wins over Arkansas (SEC), No. 30 Cornell (Ivy), Oklahoma State (Big 12), and Middle Tennessee State (Conference USA).
 
Illinois is currently ranked No. 14 in the latest ITA rankings, and enters the matchup with a 22-7 overall record, and 10-3 in Big Ten play. The Illini fell to No. 2 seed and No. 3 ranked Ohio State in the conference semifinals.
 
The Bulldogs now turn their attention to postseason competition, looking to carry their momentum onto the national stage.