COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State men's tennis team will host the Ohio State Invitational beginning Friday through Sunday at the Buckeyes’ new indoor tennis facility, the Ohio State University Varsity Tennis Center. Players from OSU, Maryland, Kentucky and Indiana will be competing in both singles and double action beginning at 2 p.m. Friday.

The Ohio State men's tennis team opens the 2008 spring season ranked No. 3 nationally in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association preseason poll. In addition to the lofty team rating, the Buckeyes also boast four singles players among the Top 100 in the country.
 
Ohio State sophomore Justin Kronauge, the 2007 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, is the top-ranked Buckeye singles player at No. 6 in the nation. In addition to Kronauge, juniors Steven Moneke and Bryan Koniecko open the season ranked Nos. 60 and 84, respectively. Senior Drew Eberly comes in at No. 94.
 
The Buckeyes also have two doubles teams ranked in the Top 30 nationally. Freshman Matt Allare and sophomore Mike O'Connell are ranked No. 20, while Eberly and Kronauge come in at No. 30.

The Scarlet and Gray will begin its dual match season Jan. 23 in Columbus, Ohio, in a doubleheader vs. Butler at 10 a.m. and Xavier at 6 p.m.