Two Michigan State men's tennis players are all set to showcase their skills in the NCAA Individual Championships held in Waco, Texas. This is a significant event as the tournament has made its debut in the fall, moving from the spring for the first time. Junior Ozan Baris and redshirt sophomore Aristotelis Thanos have earned their spots and are ready to make their mark.
Michigan State Tennis Stars Set to Shine in NCAA Tourney
Ozan Baris - The Midwest Single Champion
Ozan Baris, a junior from Michigan State, had an outstanding performance at the ITA Midwest Regionals in East Lansing. He emerged as the Midwest Single Champion, becoming the first Spartan to claim this prestigious title. This is not his first time at the NCAA Championships; he is making his third appearance and reached the national semifinals last year, losing to eventual national champion Filip Planinsek of Alabama. Currently ranked No. 1 in the ITA Individual Rankings, he posted an impressive 8-3 record this fall. His determination and skill on the court have set him apart.Baris will now take on Samir Banjeree from Stanford at 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT. This is a crucial match for him as he looks to continue his success in the NCAA Individual Championships.Aristotelis Thanos - Making His First NCAA Appearance
Aristotelis Thanos, the redshirt sophomore, punched his ticket to the tournament by competing at the ITA Sectionals on Nov. 10 and reaching the quarterfinals. This is his first time at the NCAA Championships and he is eager to make the most of this opportunity. Currently ranked No. 72 in the ITA Individual Rankings, he registered a 7-4 record this fall. His journey to the championships is a testament to his hard work and dedication.Thanos will face Alex Kotzen from Tennessee at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT. This match will be a challenging one for him, but he is ready to give his best and represent Michigan State with pride.The NCAA Individual Championships will be conducted from Tuesday-Sunday, Nov. 19-24 at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas. Baylor University is hosting the event. Both Baris and Thanos will compete in the singles tournament, with all matches being the best-of-three sets. No-ad scoring and a seven-point tiebreaker at six-games-all will be used for all matches.Fans can follow the action from Waco, TX through the provided links: https://t.co/JmQ7uRIMIE: https://t.co/sLeucUNOyh:… and keep up with the Spartans' progress in Tournament Central. It's an exciting time for Michigan State men's tennis as these two players look to bring home championships.