Columbus State University Athletics

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Second-ranked Barry University won its second consecutive national championship on Thursday, defeating the top-ranked Columbus State University's men's tennis team 4-1 in the 2021 NCAA Championship at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Club.

It's the fifth national championship for the Buccaneers as they cap off a 13-0 season. The Cougars suffer its first loss to end their year at 22-1. It was the third straight meeting in the national championship for the two national powerhouses, a first in DII men's tennis history.

"This is a heartbreaking loss for an outstanding team," commented head coach Evan Isaacs. "Hats off to Barry for a great showing. The guys were right there all day long and show heart and determination all the way to the end. I'm super proud of them and for everything they have accomplished."

The evening started fantastically for the Cougars, as the top-ranked doubles team of Alvaro Regalado and Javier Cueto Ramos flew by Ignasi Forcano and Martin Gutierrez 6-0 at the first position. The Bucs fought back though, earning the doubles point by winning in the second and third spots. Alessandro Giuliato and Tim Buttner were impressive at second doubles, taking down Felix Steen and Christian Garay 6-1. In the swing match, Arnau Rodriguez and Alejandro Gallego were victorious 6-4 against Pietro Martinetti and Tommaso Schold.

The two sides split the first two completed singles matches to give Barry a 2-1 overall lead. Forcano was the first to finish up, winning fifth singles 6-3, 6-3 over Steen. However, 32nd-ranked Schold quickly responded with a 6-3, 6-4 decision at third singles.

Things tightened up from there, but Barry was able to grab the third point at sixth singles where Buttner knocked off Justin Welz 6-2, 7-5. 

Columbus State was able to extend the match and held third-set leads at first and fourth singles, but the Bucs found the final blow at second singles. After dropping the first set, Palacios rallied against 15th-ranked Garay, winning the final two sets 7-5, 6-4 to seal the championship for Barry.

In the unfinished matches, second-ranked Regalado was leading top-ranked Giuliato 6-3, 5-7, 5-2, while Cueto Ramos was up 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (5-7), 3-0 in a classic at fourth singles with Rodriguez.

Winners of the 2018 national championship, Columbus State has made five appearances in the NCAA Championship semifinals and hold a combined 113-11 record since the start of the 2017 season.