COLUMBUS, Ohio. (January 23, 2026) – The University of North Alabama men's tennis team opened its 2026 ITA Kickoff Weekend on Friday with a 4-0 defeat to No. 6 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.
North Alabama (0-2) moves on to the consolation match on Saturday, Jan. 24 to face the loser of Purdue and Old Dominion at 6 p.m. CT.
The sixth-ranked Buckeyes (3-0) opened the morning matchup with doubles wins from court one and three.
In the battle of ranked doubles pairs, No. 10 Alex Okonkwo and Alexander Bernard scored the first win for Ohio State over No. 73 Alberto Altur and Izan Orgiles from court one, 6-0. The Buckeyes' Bryce Nakashima and Jack Anthrop secured the doubles point with a 6-1 victory over freshman Benjamin Meyers and junior Alex Despoja from court three.
Singles wins from courts three, five and six saw the match out in Columbus.
Loren Byers defeated Meyers for the first win on court six, 6-1, 6-1. Ohio State's Nakashima followed with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Samu Dominguez from court five. No. 22 Anthrop sealed the home win in a 6-1, 6-4 win over Orgiles from court three.
The Lions had competitive matches in the unfinished matches, as Lachlan Brain took on the No. 5 individual in the nation, Aidan Kim, and had a 3-3 scoreline in the second set after dropping the first 6-3. No. 111 ranked Altur was down 6-2, 4-4 in his match with No. 51 Preston Stearns, sitting two points away from tying the match.
On the fourth court, Despoja gave a run to Alexander Bernard, trailing 6-4, 4-3 in two competitive sets.
#6 Ohio State 4, North Alabama 0
Doubles
1. #10 Alex Okonkwo/Alexander Bernard (OSU) def. #73 Alberto Altur/Izan Orgiles (UNA), 6-0
2. #5 Nikita Filin/Brandon Carpico (OSU) vs. Lachlan Brain/Austin Miramontes (UNA), 5-1, unfinished
3. Bryce Nakashima/Jack Anthrop (OSU) def. Benjamin Meyers/Alex Despoja (UNA), 6-1
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. Samu Dominguez (UNA), 6-1, 6-1
6. Loren Byers (OSU) def. Benjamin Meyers (UNA), 6-1, 6-1
Order of Finish – Doubles: (1,3) Singles: (6,5,3)
Match Notes
#6 Ohio State: 3-0
North Alabama: 0-2
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