The University of Kentucky men’s tennis team will begin its NCAA Tournament campaign against California on May 1, according to an April 30 announcement. The match is scheduled for 10 a.m. Eastern Time at the Auer Tennis Complex in Columbus, Ohio.
This marks Kentucky’s 33rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament and its twelfth under Head Coach Cedric Kauffmann. The Wildcats have won their opening match in every tournament since 2017 and are competing in the Columbus Regional for the third time in program history.
No. 3 Ohio State and Buffalo will play later that day, with winners from both matches advancing to face each other on Saturday, May 2. All regional matches are planned for outdoor courts at Auer Tennis Complex but may move indoors to Ty Tucker Tennis Center if weather requires. Admission and parking are free for all attendees.
Kentucky enters the tournament ranked No. 25 nationally after defeating Arkansas and losing to Georgia during the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament. The Wildcats have played half of this season’s current top-25 teams, securing victories over Oklahoma, Georgia, Michigan State, Auburn, and Vanderbilt.
Individually, Eli Stephenson leads Kentucky at No. 23 in singles rankings as a First Team All-SEC member; Nicolas Arseneault is ranked No. 59 and Jack Loutit is No. 82. In doubles rankings, Stephenson teams with Loutit at No.16 while Martin Breysach pairs with Charlelie Cosnet at No.85.
California enters Friday’s contest ranked No.42 after recent wins over Georgia Tech and SMU before falling to Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament quarterfinals. Fryderyck Lechino Wasiutynski leads Cal singles players at No.62; Alexander Aney and Timofey Stepanov are ranked No.30 as a doubles team.
Kentucky has not defeated California in their three previous meetings; Cal last won by a score of five-to-one when they met in 1991.
