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Ohio State Men's Tennis (2014/2019/2024 ITA Indoor National Champs, 17 Straight B1G Titles)

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Huge point for a potential upset!
Yesterday I predicted they absolutely had to have it to upset UVa. and after losing it yesterday felt the ship had sailed.
Getting excited for single's now, only need 3 out of 6 points to claim a championship.
Who do you BPer's think will come through today?
I will take Kobelt, Metka, Callahan
 
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Congratulations Buckeyes! Think about the history of OSU tennis, and how mediocre it had been prior to the arrival of Tucker. Not to minimize all of the talent and hard work that was part of that history, but I think we had 1 or 2 Big Ten Championships in the history of the program prior to Tucker becoming Coach. The last 12 or 13 years the program has risen to an elite level in the conference and nationally, and now to have this Championship really reinforces all of the growth and success that has taken place over that time. This is a huge accomplishment. Here's to continuing the momentum throughout the spring and into the tourney. Great day to be a Buckeye!

Go Bucks!
 
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cBucks said:
Congratulations Buckeyes! Think about the history of OSU tennis, and how mediocre it had been prior to the arrival of Tucker.
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Prime reason why if fans and alums were looking to donate to Ohio State Athletic teams based solely on performance, Men's Tennis is near the top of the list.

If you look at Top 10 NCAA finishes, rowing and men's tennis are the best OSU offers for sports with more than 30 schools participating (fencing and men's gymnastics do not have 30+.).
 
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cBucks said:
Congratulations Buckeyes! Think about the history of OSU tennis, and how mediocre it had been prior to the arrival of Tucker. Not to minimize all of the talent and hard work that was part of that history, but I think we had 1 or 2 Big Ten Championships in the history of the program prior to Tucker becoming Coach. The last 12 or 13 years the program has risen to an elite level in the conference and nationally, and now to have this Championship really reinforces all of the growth and success that has taken place over that time. This is a huge accomplishment. Here's to continuing the momentum throughout the spring and into the tourney. Great day to be a Buckeye!

Go Bucks!
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Re: Gene Smith interview (September 2013)

Q: Tell us about your coaching staff.

A: Ty Tucker in tennis … in the national championship this year, went to the Final Four in men’s tennis, undefeated at home for four straight years. That’s a phenomenal record. Last year, we had the doubles champions in the country. Ty Tucker’s just one of the best.

Q: Regarding coaching salaries, is there a sort of arms race in recruiting the top talent?

A: So yes, we are definitely a leader among 341 Division I schools in trying to attract the best. We pay at the highest levels, consistent with their talents and skills, consistent with the job and consistent with our expectations. So yes, we are like everybody else.

See more at: http://www.columbusceo.com/content/stories/2013/09/qa-smith.html#sthash.BOfIBbJh.dpuf

Just sayin': I have no idea what kind of contract Tucker has (i.e. salary and years). If Tucker isn't one of the highest paid college tennis coaches with a multi-year contract; Smith should get is "ass in gear" and give Tucker a long term contract for what he is worth, etc.
 
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From Tucker's profile on the official site.


Ty Tucker, who became the head coach of the Ohio State men's tennis program in 1999, has turned Buckeye tennis into an elite program that has maintained consistent success, shattered program records and contended for Big Ten and national titles. Tucker's reputation for delivering exceptional results has not gone unnoticed as he was promoted to Director of Tennis in the summer of 2012. While also maintaining his role as head coach of the men's program, Tucker has provided oversight and assistance to the women's team..
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Fungo Squiggly said:
WOW! After the talent they lost last season, that's an amazing achievement!
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Good observation Fungo
In some sports they Reload after losing talent.
For the Buckeyes the players that made a difference in the ITA indoor were on the team last year.
Kobelt was the #2 behind Rola, Diaz was at #5 or 6, Steinbach was red shirting, Metka was struggling to find playing time, and Callahan was rotating with Christ at #6.
The only "reload" from the loss of Rola, McCarthy, Smith, VanEngelen and Christ was Freshman Pollanen.
Scary to think that Tucker can coach up talent at that championship caliber level.
 
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Recap of the championship at the ITA Indoor Team Tournament.
from the official site.

The fifth-ranked Ohio State men’s tennis team captured its first ITA National Team Indoor Championship title with an impressive performance Monday for a 4-1 win over No. 3 USC in Houston, Texas. Guided by director of tennis and head coach Ty Tucker, the Buckeyes defeated four Top 25 teams, including two Top 5 programs en route to the national title and are now 13-0 overall in 2014 to put Ohio State at its best start to a season in program history.

“We were able to set the tone early on and Steinbach and Diaz fought back with five straight points in doubles to get it started,” Tucker said. “We rode Metka and Kobelt hard at No. 1 all weekend and they were able to win all of their matches for us. When you beat two teams back-to-back that have been dominating college tennis the last five years, it’s a great accomplishment. Everyone is playing for the team and the only thing that matters to these guys is that Ohio State wins.”

The Scarlet and Gray captured the doubles point and three of the four completed singles matches to defeat the Trojans, whose last loss was to Ohio State in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Team Championships last May.

"The doubles point was huge today, senior Peter Kobelt said. “We didn't get the first point against Virginia and we are a much better team when we win in doubles. I know I had to play at my best for us to win vs. USC. This trophy we are bringing back is for all the former members that have played at Ohio State. This is a great accomplishment.”

Redshirt freshman Ralf Steinbach (Halle, Germany) clinched the championship for Ohio State with a 6-5 (7-4), 6-4 win over Connor Farren on court No. 4. Steinbach was down 3-0 and 4-2 in the tiebreaker before reeling off five consecutive points. The win improves Steinbach’s record to 10-1 on the season, with the Buckeye winning seven consecutive matches.

“To help the team clinch the match is an unbelievable feeling,” Steinbach said. “I was up a set and playing good tennis then I realized after Peter won, I had a chance to serve for the title. I was a little nervous. The deciding point came down to a volley and I was aggressive at the net and was able to place a good shot for the clinching point.”

In doubles action, the No. 2 duo of Kobelt (New Albany, Ohio) and Kevin Metka (Worthington, Ohio) were first off court, defeating No. 25 Yannick Hanfmann and Ray Sarmiento 6-4 on court No. 1. Redshirt sophomore Chris Diaz (Columbus, Ohio) and Steinbach clinched the doubles point for the Buckeyes on court No. 3 with a 6-4 win over Eric Johnson and Max De Vroome. Redshirt junior Hunter Callahan (Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania) and freshman Herkko Pollanen (Helsinki, Finland) were trailing 3-5 on court No. 2 against Roberto Quiroz and Farren when play was called.

Ahead 1-0 in singles play, Ohio State and USC each took three first sets, but for the second-consecutive match, Callahan posted an upset on court No. 6 to finish first for the Buckeyes. He defeated No. 47 Jonny Wang 6-3, 6-4 for his 11th-consecutive win and give the Buckeyes a 2-0 lead.

No. 23 Kobelt also had his second-consecutive upset of the tournament, defeating No. 7 Sarmiento 6-3, 6-4 with an ace on match point. It was revenge for Kobelt, who lost to Sarmiento in the National Indoors Tournament this past fall.

The Trojans got on the board with No. 16 Hanfmann defeating Diaz 6-5 (7-4), 6-3, but it wasn’t long until Steinbach brought home the trophy with a winning volley. Remaining matches were suspended after Steinbach’s clinch, with Pollanen losing the first set, but a game away from winning the second on court No. 3. On court No. 5, Metka lost his first set in a tiebreaker and was on serve in the second when play was suspended.

The Buckeyes are now 3-5 all-time vs. USC, winning the last two meetings vs. the Trojans. The Scarlet and Gray are now 21-12 all-time at the tournament. In 2014, Ohio State has compiled a 7-0 record against ITA Top 25 teams in 2014 (No. 17 Kentucky, 4-0; No. 8 Texas A&M, 4-3; No. 12 Florida, 4-1, No. 10 Texas, 4-2; No. 1 Virginia, 4-3; No. 3 USC, 4-1).

Ohio State next hits the road at Notre Dame Feb. 22 before playing its first conference match of the year at Indiana Feb. 24. The 2014 indoor national champions will next be at home Feb. 28 when the Buckeyes host North Carolina at 6 p.m. Feb. 28. As always, admission is free.

2014 ITA Men’s Team Indoor ChampionshipNo. 5 Ohio State 4, No. 3 USC 3Downtown Club at the MetHouston, TexasFeb. 17, 2014

Singles Competition1. #23 Peter Kobelt (OSU) def. #7 Ray Sarmiento (USC) 6-3, 6-4
2. #16 Yannick Hanfmann (USC) def. Chris Diaz (OSU) 6-5 (7-4), 6-3
3. Herkko Pollanen (OSU) vs. Roberto Quiroz (USC) 3-6, 5-4, unfinished
4. Ralf Steinbach (OSU) def. Connor Farren (USC) 6-5 (7-4), 6-4
5. Kevin Metka (OSU) vs. Max De Vroome (USC) 5-6 (5-7), 4-5, unfinished
6. Hunter Callahan (OSU) def. #47 Jonny Wang (USC) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles Competition 1. #7 Peter Kobelt/Kevin Metka (OSU) def. #25 Yannick Hanfmann/Ray Sarmiento (USC) 6-4
2. Hunter Callahan/Herkko Pollanen (OSU) def. Roberto Quiroz/Connor Farren (USC) 3-5, unfinished
3. Chris Diaz/Ralf Steinbach (OSU) def. Eric Johnson/Max De Vroome (USC) 6-4
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