Thursday, May 16
Stillwater, Okla.
12:00 P.M. ET
Columbia University
vs
#1 Ohio State
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography
No. 8 Men’s Tennis Meets No. 1 Ohio State in Elite Eight Match
5/15/2024 2:46:00 PM | Men's Tennis
First serve Thursday is set for 12 p.m. ET in Stillwater, Oklahoma
STILLWATER, Okla. – The No. 8 Columbia men's tennis team continues its run in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday when the Lions face No. 1 Ohio State in the Elite Eight. First serve from the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center is set for 12 p.m. ET.
Thursday's match will be streamed on ESPN+ and fans can also follow live scoring HERE.
MAKING HISTORY
As one of the eight teams remaining in the hunt for a national title, Columbia makes an appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in program history. Columbia clawed past No. 9 Arizona, 4-3, on Saturday to punch its ticket to Stillwater.
The duo of Nicolas Kotzen and Max Westphal battled to win a late break that propelled them to the win in the No. 2 doubles. Alex Kotzen and Henry Ruger then rallied back to force a tiebreaker in the No. 3 doubles. The pair carried the momentum through the tiebreaker to clinch the doubles point for Columbia, which proved to be critical to the team victory.
The Lions and Wildcats split the six singles matches with three wins each. No. 23 Michael Zheng, No. 100 Alex Kotzen and Hugo Hashimoto picked up singles victories to lead the Lions to the win. Hashimoto went up a break in the third set and was able to hang on to clinch the team win in front of an energized crowd at the Philip and Cheryl Milstein Family Tennis Center.
THE MATCHUP
Ohio State enters the NCAA Quarterfinals with a 33-1 overall record this season. The Buckeyes' lone loss this season came on the road at No. 12 Texas. Ohio State has earned wins over Cleveland State, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State to advance to the Elite Eight. Four players in the Ohio State singles lineup are ranked inside the Top 50, while the doubles pair of JJ Tracy and Robert Cash is currently ranked No. 3.
THE OHIO STATE SERIES
Columbia will meet Ohio State for the fourth time Thursday with all four matches coming in the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes has won the previous three meetings with the last match coming in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
Ohio State won the ITA Indoor Team National title earlier this season in New York City. The Lions and Buckeyes didn't play, but Ohio State posted wins over Alabama, Harvard, Virginia and TCU.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Men's Tennis by following the Lions on X (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
Thursday's match will be streamed on ESPN+ and fans can also follow live scoring HERE.
MAKING HISTORY
As one of the eight teams remaining in the hunt for a national title, Columbia makes an appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in program history. Columbia clawed past No. 9 Arizona, 4-3, on Saturday to punch its ticket to Stillwater.
The duo of Nicolas Kotzen and Max Westphal battled to win a late break that propelled them to the win in the No. 2 doubles. Alex Kotzen and Henry Ruger then rallied back to force a tiebreaker in the No. 3 doubles. The pair carried the momentum through the tiebreaker to clinch the doubles point for Columbia, which proved to be critical to the team victory.
The Lions and Wildcats split the six singles matches with three wins each. No. 23 Michael Zheng, No. 100 Alex Kotzen and Hugo Hashimoto picked up singles victories to lead the Lions to the win. Hashimoto went up a break in the third set and was able to hang on to clinch the team win in front of an energized crowd at the Philip and Cheryl Milstein Family Tennis Center.
THE MATCHUP
Ohio State enters the NCAA Quarterfinals with a 33-1 overall record this season. The Buckeyes' lone loss this season came on the road at No. 12 Texas. Ohio State has earned wins over Cleveland State, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State to advance to the Elite Eight. Four players in the Ohio State singles lineup are ranked inside the Top 50, while the doubles pair of JJ Tracy and Robert Cash is currently ranked No. 3.
THE OHIO STATE SERIES
Columbia will meet Ohio State for the fourth time Thursday with all four matches coming in the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes has won the previous three meetings with the last match coming in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
Ohio State won the ITA Indoor Team National title earlier this season in New York City. The Lions and Buckeyes didn't play, but Ohio State posted wins over Alabama, Harvard, Virginia and TCU.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Men's Tennis by following the Lions on X (@CULionsMTEN), Instagram (@culionsmten) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Tennis
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