Badenhorst Earns NCAA Singles Berth in Waco
Baylor senior Devin Badenhorst clinched a spot in the NCAA singles field at the ITA Sectional Championships at the Waco Regional Tennis Center.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Tennis
Baylor senior Devin Badenhorst, ranked No. 5 nationally in ITA preseason singles, won three matches at the four-day ITA Sectional Championships in Waco to earn one of six available NCAA singles berths. He secured the spot by winning the consolation semifinal on Sunday after losing in the quarterfinals.
Why it matters
The result gives Badenhorst a place in the NCAA Singles Championship field, the sport's top collegiate individual event. It also marks a strong showing for Baylor in the Sectional tournament.
The results are official Sectional match scores from the ITA Championships in Waco, with Badenhorst winning three of four matches and advancing via the consolation bracket. The extraction does not specify his final seeding or the draw position he will face at nationals.
The players
Devin Badenhorst
A Baylor senior and a top-ranked collegiate singles player who earned the NCAA berth.
Hank Trondson
An Oklahoma State player who defeated Badenhorst in the Sectional quarterfinals.
The details
Badenhorst opened the tournament with straight-set victories before falling to Trondson in the quarterfinals. He then beat Illinois' Zachary Viiala 6-1, 7-6 (2) in the consolation semifinals to earn the NCAA berth, while Louis Bowden won the consolation title with a 4-1 singles record.
Timeline
Sunday, November 8, 2026: Badenhorst wins consolation semifinal and earns NCAA berth
November 17-22, 2026: NCAA Singles Championship in Athens, Georgia
Season Trajectory
Badenhorst's berth extends Baylor's presence in the NCAA singles field following Connor Van Schalkwyk's September qualification at the ITA Men's All-American Championships. Together the two results place Baylor among the programs with multiple singles players heading into the national championship.
Badenhorst's berth means he will compete in the NCAA Singles Championship field, a key milestone for fans tracking Baylor's singles players. Readers following fantasy or bracket-style tennis contests will see his name in the national draw.
The takeaway
Badenhorst's consolation win shows how a strong tournament can still lead to a national berth even after a quarterfinal loss. Fans can track the NCAA field as it develops ahead of the November 17-22 championship.
What happens next
The NCAA Singles Championship runs November 17-22, 2026, in Athens, Georgia, at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
Further reading
Explore more Tennis coverage on the Waco sports scene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Waco Tribune-Herald.
