COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University tennis teams will compete in the premier regular-season event on the NCAA Division II calendar this weekend when it takes part in the 2021 ITA National Indoor Championships in Oklahoma City.
The ITA National Indoor Championship showcases eight of the top DII men's and women's from all across the nation. This year, the OKC Tennis Center will host the men's event, while the women will be competing at Edmond Center Court.
Looking to defend their 2020 title, the top-ranked Cougars will be the top-seed in the three-day event. CSU will play its opening match on Friday at 6:45 p.m. against No. 22 and eight-seeded Midwestern State University.
CSU has two matches under its belt this spring. Last weekend, the Cougars defeated No. 20 West Alabama 5-2 before a 6-1 decision over Auburn University Montgomery. The Cougars will enter play on Friday on an 11-match winning streak and have won 18 straight in regular-season play.
Third-year sophomore
Tommaso Schold began the season in style, going 2-0 in both singles and doubles play for the Cougars. Schold rallied to win two three-set matches at third singles to earn the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week honors. Many eyes will be on All-American
Alvaro Regalado, who won two matches in last year's National Indoor Championship, including a straight-set victory over the then top-ranked player in the nation.
In 2020, Columbus State didn't drop a match en route to the inaugural championship in OKC. Over the three days, the Cougars blanked then-ranked No. 5 Saint Leo University, No. 9 Hawaii Pacific University and No. 1 Barry University.
On the women's side, the Lady Cougars enter the weekend as the second-seed and will play No. 16 and seventh-seeded Southwest Baptist University on Friday at 12:15 p.m.
Fifth-year senior
Beatriz Lopez will lead Columbus State into the championship. The 2020 ITA Southeast Region Senior of the Year, Lopez opened the spring season with two easy wins at the top singles spot for head coach
Evan Isaacs. On Monday, she earned the PBC Player of the Week award for the fourth time in her illustrious career.
Luise Sachs also started the new season with two singles victories and will play a vital role in the Lady Cougar lineup.
The Lady Cougars went 1-2 in OKC last year to finish in fourth.
Columbus State split a pair of road matches during the opening weekend, including a 7-0 shutout win over AUM.
Live scoring for the ITA National Indoor Championship will be provided with links available through CSUCougars.com.
2021 ITA Men's Indoor National Championship
OKC Tennis Center - Oklahoma City
| Seeds |
Opening Round Matches |
| #1 - Columbus State University (ITA Ranking - 1st) |
Match 1: #3 Flagler v. #6 Indianapolis - 9 a.m. |
| #2 - University of West Florida (ITA Ranking - 3rd) |
Match 2: #2 West Florida v. #7 Delta State - 12:15 p.m. |
| #3 - Flagler College (ITA Ranking - 9th) |
Match 3: #4 Drury v. #5 Concordia - 3:30 p.m. |
| #4 - Drury University (ITA Ranking - 7th) |
Match 4: #1 Columbus State v. #8 Midwestern State - 6:45 p.m. |
| #5 - Concordia University - Irvine (ITA Ranking - 14th) |
Semifinals - Saturday, Feb. 27 |
| #6 - University of Indianapolis (ITA Ranking - 10th) |
Winner Match 1 v. Winner Match 2 - 12:15 p.m. |
| #7 - Delta State University (ITA Ranking - 19th) |
Winner Match 3 v. Winner Match 4 - 6:45 p.m. |
| #8 - Midwestern State University (ITA Ranking - 22nd) |
Championship - Sunday Feb. 28 - 3:30 p.m. |
2021 ITA Women's Indoor National Championship
Edmond Center Court - Edmond, Okla.
| Seeds |
Opening Round Matches |
| #1 - University of Indianapolis (ITA Ranking - 4th) |
Match 1: #3 West Florida v. #6 Angelo State - 9 a.m. |
| #2 - Columbus State University (ITA Ranking - 5th) |
Match 2: #2 Columbus State v. #7 Southwest Baptist - 12:15 p.m. |
| #3 - University of West Florida (ITA Ranking - 7th) |
Match 3: #1 Indianapolis v. #8 Midwestern State - 3:30 p.m. |
| #4 - University of Central Oklahoma (ITA Ranking - 8th) |
Match 4: #4 Central Oklahoma v. #5 Flagler - 6:45 p.m. |
| #5 - Flagler College (ITA Ranking - 10th) |
Semifinals - Saturday, Feb. 27 |
| #6 - Angelo State University (ITA Ranking - 13th) |
Winner Match 1 v. Winner Match 2 - 12:15 p.m. |
| #7 - Southwest Baptist University (ITA Ranking - 14th) |
Winner Match 3 v. Winner Match 4 - 6:45 p.m. |
| #8 - Midwestern State University (ITA Ranking - 16th) |
Championship - Sunday Feb. 28 - 3:30 p.m. |
