ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL. — The Cougars are leaving their mark. The program is going to their first NCAA National Championship quarterfinal appearance. After coming close in 2015 to the final eight, the Cougars returned to national championships and beat No. 37 Bluefield State 5-0 in the first round of the tournament.

BRACKET
RESULTS

Azusa Pacific will face No. 3 Columbus State Wednesday at 4:00 (ET) to determine who will continue onto the semifinals.

"With every season we have seen improvement, since joining the NCAA and reaching Nationals in 2015 we have seen ourselves climbing the ranks and competing against some of the best programs," said Azusa Pacific head coach Mark Bohren. 

The Cougars began their national's endeavor sweeping in doubles and gaining momentum the remainder of the match. Oliver Frank and partner Pascal Engel were quick to notch the Cougars first doubles win, as they didn't drop a game in their 8-0 win over Giorgi Datachvili and Luca Ockernahl at the No. 1 position. They lost just seven points the entire match. Following Frank and Pascal's victory were teammates Christian Schmid and Shepherd Newcomb who defeated Platon Gud and Ignacio Pulido 8-4 at the No. 2 spot continuing the Cougars efforts. Antonio Pejic and Marnix Pluim's score went back-and-forth as the Cougars found themselves trailing Alexandr Rudenco and Anthony Braem. Never letting up Pejic and Pluim came back to win in 9-8 (7-1) to complete the Cougars doubles sweep. 

"We played good doubles which ultimately affected how we approached singles and set us up for a successful match," said coach Bohren.

Frank continued his successful singles campaign in another perfect singles appearance winning 6-0, 6-0 over Platon Gud at the No. 1 slot. In two sets Pejic clinched the match 6-2, 7-5 (7-4) at the No. 5 position.

"The guys knew that there were two outcomes that could have come from today's match and one was not an option," coach Bohren said. "The elements have been an adjustment for the guys, it's a lot hotter and humid in Florida as it is back in Azusa. But the guys pushed through and know tomorrow's match will feel a lot like today's."

With the match decided the Cougars remaining matches went unfinished. Schmid and Engel were both tied after two sets 3-6, 6-5, Schmid at the No. 2 spot and Engel in the No. 3 slot. At the No. 4 position, Newcomb was also even, trailing in his third set when his match was called 6-3, 1-6, 2-1. Cameron Backman was down 6-4, 5-2 at the No. 6 spot when the match was clinched.

"The team has to want it more than the other team," coach Bohren said. "Hard work and talent win some games but at the end of the day whichever team wants it more will walk away the winner."

NCAA Quarterfinal Information
Teams: No. 14 Azusa Pacific vs. No. 3 Columbus State
Location: Altamonte Springs, FL. (Sanlando Park Tennis Courts)
Time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)
If live streamed the match can be found at NCAA.com/live
NCAA Digital Program
Live Scoreboard