Youngstown State University
Tennessee State
YSU Opens HL Championships Play on Friday
4/25/2024 10:02:00 AM | Men's Tennis
The Youngstown State Men's Tennis team begins play at the Horizon League Championships, which this year will be at the Schwartz Tennis Center on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., on Friday morning.
YSU, the No. 3 seed from the North Division, will face No. 2 South Division foe Tennessee State in the quarterfinals at 9:30 a.m. It marks the second straight year the Guins and Tigers will face one another in the quarterfinals. The winner advances to play No. 1 North Division seed Cleveland State on Saturday. Tennessee State enters the match with Guins following a 7-18 campaign while going 4-1 in the OVC.
The Penguins finished the regular season with a 9-11 mark overall while going 3-5 in Horizon League play.
Last year in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Guins defeated the Tigers, 4-1, in the quarterfinals.
A victory over Tennessee State will give YSU its seventh consecutive appearance in the Horizon League semifinals.
Regular Season Recap
YSU played its first dual match of the season on Jan. 20. The Guins won three matches, all at home, to open the year. Two of those wins came against Big East foes Georgetown and Butler. Youngstown State beat Xavier at home before earning a 4-3 win a Lipscomb. YSU ended non-conference play with a win over Duquesne. In Horizon League play, the Guins earned home wins over IUPUI and Chicago State. YSU also beat the Cougars in Chicago.
Horizon League Numbers
Individually in the eight Horizon League matches this spring, YSU was 27-21 in singles and 8-10 in doubles. Harry Fouzas and Onder Balci lead the Guins with six wins each. In doubles, Balci and Nishant Dabas picked up three victories to lead the Penguins.
Horizon League Tournament History
All-time in Horizon League Tournament play, the Penguins own an 8-26 mark. Five of the eight victories have come since 2017. The Guins reached the finals in 2022. Prior to winning twice in 2022, YSU's most recent victory in the event was April 27, 2018, against Wright State.
For news and updates throughout the tournament, follow the Youngstown State men's tennis program on Twitter @YSUMensTennis
