PHILADELPHIA -- From the top spot, Senior Velavan Senthilkumar cinched Columbia's first program victory over #3 Trinity College on the first day of the 2022 CSA National Team Championships. After dropping the first game to Miko Aijanen 9-11, Velavan stormed back to win the next three, 11-7, 11-4, and 8-11 securing the victory for the Lions.
 
Rutvik Rau started the Lions off strong, defeating Mateo Restrepo in straights. Following a close 14-12 decision in the first game, Rau decisively put Restrepo away 11-6, 11-8. Adam Goad expanded Columbia's lead to 2-0 with a 3-1 victory over Julius Benthin. Goad took the first two games, 11-9, 11-8, before uncharacteristically dropping the third 2-11. The match was decided the following set as Goad collected an 11-9 result.

The Bantams countered from the third spot where Abbdelrahmann Nassar defeated James Wyatt 3-2 before bringing the match to a 2-2 tie from the eighth spot. Will Curtis effectively snagged the point from Ryan Chen, 3-0. The pressure only continued to mount as Trinity improved to 3-2 courtesy of Aly Toiba's 3-0 victory over Harold Castiaux in the fourth spot.

Unrelenting, Trinity expanded its lead to 4-2 from the second spot as Mohamed Sharaf conquered Callan Hall 3-0.

Justin Ghaeli pulled the Lions back within reach following the longest fought match of the day. Over one hour and 12 minutes, Ghaeli battled back and forth with Advait Adik from the ninth spot. The duo swapped points until the fifth set when Ghaeli secured the victory 11-8.

Chaitanya Shah was able to swing the match back in Columbia's favor, defeating Danial Nurhaqiem Shahrul Izam in a tightly matched contest. Izham earned the first two sets 11-8, 11-6 before Shah countered 11-4, 11-1 in the following sets. At a 2-2 standstill Shah earned the point in a 5-1 retirement victory. 

With the match at a 4-4 standstill, the Lions' fate was in Velavan's hands. And the rest, is history.

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