ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita Baptist University men's tennis team enters this weekend's NCAA regional tournament match against Washburn University as the 24th-ranked team in the nation.

The Tigers are 12-10 overall this season and have been ranked in the ITA top 50 each week of the year, including the fall rankings. Ouachita is making its 20th appearance in the NCAA tournament with its trip to Topeka, Kansas this Saturday to take on Washburn with a spot in the NCAA Round of 16 on the line. The Tigers made it to the nationals round last year, and are hoping for a return trip this year.

Individually, Phil Exner has received his highest-ever singles ranking at No. 3 this week, carrying a 25-5 record with the Tigers during the 2022-23 campaign. Alex Blanchar also improved in this week's rankings to No. 16 nationally in singles with an 18-7 record. As a duo, Exner and Blanchar are the now the sixth-ranked doubles tandem in D2. Both were recently selected to the All-MIAA/GAC First Team.

Ouachita has faced one of the toughest schedules in the nation this year, which has included 10 matches against teams that are currently ranked in the top 50. The Tigers face another tough test this Saturday in their regional matchup against No. 18 Washburn. This is the second straight season for the Tigers and Ichabods to meet in the regional round. Last year, Ouachita won 4-3 in Arkadelphia. The two squads have met once already this season, resulting in a 4-0 win for the Ichabods in Arkadelphia in the regular season finale.