Buckeyes Sweep, Advance to ITA Kickoff Weekend Championship

Friday, January 23

Columbus, Ohio

10 a.m.

Ohio State

University of North Alabama

Photo by: Ohio State Athletics

Buckeyes Sweep, Advance to ITA Kickoff Weekend Championship

1/23/2026 1:19:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score Photo Gallery

No. 6 Ohio State takes on Purdue or Old Dominion Saturday

By: Mark Metz, Ohio State Athletics Communications

COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 6 Ohio State opened the ITA Kickoff Weekend with a 4-0 sweep of North Alabama Friday at the Ty Tucker Tennis Center.

The Buckeyes advance to the championship match at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Buckeyes will face the winner of the Friday Purdue vs. Old Dominion clash.

Ohio State is now 34-1 in Kickoff Weekend matches after beating the Lions in the first meeting between the schools.

Doubles

No. 10 Alexander Bernard and Alex Okonkwo sprinted to a 6-0 win on court one to post the first doubles win. They have recorded a doubles win in each contest of the season.
Jack Anthrop and Bryce Nakashima then won the race for the second win as they beat Benjamin Meyers and Alex Despoja 6-1 on court three.

Singles

The singles matches were just as dominant. Loren Byers beat Benjamin Meyers 6-1, 6-1 on court six for the second point of the match.
Doubles partners, Nakashima and Anthrop, went on to secure their second wins of the day. Nakashima beat Samuel Balfour 6-1, 6-1 for the third point and Anthrop battled to a 6-3, 6-1 win on court three to provide the clinching point.
The match lasted one hour and 45 minutes.

#6 Ohio State 4, North Alabama 0
Singles
1. #5 Aidan Kim (OSU) vs. Lachlan Brain (UNA) 6-3, 3-3, unfinished
2. #51 Preston Stearns (OSU) vs. #111 Alberto Altur (UNA) 6-2, 4-4, unfinished
3. #22 Jack Anthrop (OSU) def. Izan Orgiles (UNA) 6-1, 6-4
4. Alexander Bernard (OSU) vs. Alex Despoja (UNA) 6-4, 4-3, unfinished
5. Bryce Nakashima (OSU) def. Samuel Balfour (UNA) 6-1, 6-1
6. Loren Byers (OSU) def. Benjamin Meyers (UNA) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
1. #10 Alexander Bernard/Alex Okonkwo (OSU) def. Alberto Altur/Izan Orgiles (UNA) 6-0
2. #5 Brandon Carpico/Nikita Filin (OSU) vs. Lachlan Brain/Austin Miramontes (UNA) 5-1, unfinished
3. Jack Anthrop/Bryce Nakashima (OSU) def. Benjamin Meyers/Alex Despoja (UNA) 6-1
Match Notes:
North Alabama 0-2
Ohio State 3-0; National ranking #6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,5,3)
Official: Julio Colon T-1:45