For women’s tennis, it’s the beginning of a new era. After years of mediocrity, the Maroons are taking their game to the big stage.

Boosted by a strong run over the second-half of the season, 15th-ranked Chicago (15–8) makes its Division III NCAA tournament debut Friday against 13th-ranked Wheaton (17–2) in St. Peters, Minnesota. The Central regional will be held on the campus of seventh-ranked Gustavus Adolphus (28–4).

The men’s hopes for a return to the regional after making their first appearance last season were dashed Monday. A strong start to the season quickly gave way to a midseason slump, and the Maroons (12–10) found themselves on the outside looking in after losing in the first round of the UAA tourney to regional rival Carnegie Mellon (5–12).

Announcements of seedings for the individual competition were not yet announced, although first-year Vindya Dayananda and fourth-year Ward Bortz are both expected to make the field. Check Friday’s Maroon for a full tournament preview.