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SURPRISE, Ariz. – The second-ranked Columbus State University men's tennis team is on its way back to the national semifinals after a 5-0 sweep of No. 16 Midwestern State on Thursday.
Columbus State (26-3) will be making its second straight national semifinal appearance and fourth in program history. The Cougars will take on No. 13 Azusa Pacific on Friday at noon. CSU defeated Azusa Pacific in last year's national quarterfinals.
"This group is playing with a lot of confidence right now," head coach Evan Isaacs said. "We reached this point last year and I know they are hungry to get through to the national championship."
Thursday was total domination by the Cougars, starting with a strong doubles sweep.
KP Pannu and Matei Avram raced past their opponents 8-1 at second doubles to get the day started. Arnold Kokulewski and Jorge Vargas followed quickly behind with an 8-2 win at third, and Zach Whaanga and Alvaro Regalado capped it off with an 8-3 win at the top spot.
Singles saw more of the same, as the Cougars took the first set in five of six matches.
Vargas rallied the first singles victory, rolling 6-2, 6-2 at sixth. Pannu then clinched the win with a 6-4, 6-1 triumph at one.
Avram was just one game away from winning his match, while Whaanga and Regalado were each up a set.
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