Columbia Falls to Harvard, 6–3, in CSA Team National Championship Quarterfinals
PHILADELPHIA – Columbia's run in the CSA Team National Championship came to a close in the quarterfinal round as the Lions fell to Harvard, 6–3, on Friday afternoon at the Specter Center.
**PHILADELPHIA – **Columbia's run in the CSA Team National Championship came to a close in the quarterfinal round as the Lions fell to Harvard, 6–3, on Friday afternoon at the Specter Center.
Harvard took early control at the top of the ladder, with the Crimson's Dennis Gilevskiy defeating
Yusuf Sheikh at No. 1 in four games, 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6. Harvard extended its lead at No. 2 after a marathon five-game battle, where David Costales edged
Shaurya Bawa, 12-10, 5-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-8 in 1:34.
At No. 3, Omar Azzam topped
Franklyn Smith in four games, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, while Christian Capella added another point for Princeton at No. 4 with an 11-5, 4-11, 11-6, 11-7 victory over
The Lions responded with strong performances in the lower half of the ladder.
Imad Athar earned Columbia's first win of the match at No. 6, defeating Alexander Broadbridge in four games, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8.
Varun Fuloria followed with a gritty five-game comeback at No. 8, rallying past Ishant Shah, 11-5, 7-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-5.
Laszlo Godde added the Lions' third point with a straight-game victory over Marcus Lee at No. 9, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4.
Harvard ultimately clinched the team result after Maddox Moxham staged a comeback win over
Arhan Chandra at No. 5. After dropping the first two games, Moxham rallied to take the final three, 4-11, 6-11, 11-7, 14-12, 11-8.
The Crimsons also secured a point at No. 7, where Jacob Lin defeated
Paarth Ambani in straight games, 12-10, 11-1, 11-3. The No. 10 match between Andrew Chun and
Adam Morkel did not factor into the team score.
Harvard 6, Columbia 3
1S | Denis Gilevskiy (HAR) def.
Yusuf Sheikh (COL) — 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6
2S | David Costales (HAR) def.
Shaurya Bawa (COL) — 12-10, 5-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-8
3S | Omar Azzam (HAR) def.
Franklyn Smith (COL) — 11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4
4S | Christian Capella (HAR) def.
Ahmad Haq (COL) — 11-5, 4-11, 11-6, 11-7
5S | Maddox Moxham (HAR) def.
Arhan Chandra (COL) — 4-11, 6-11, 11-7, 14-12, 11-8
6S |
Imad Athar (COL) def. Alexander Broadbridge (HAR) — 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8
7S | Jacob Lin (HAR) def.
Paarth Ambani (COL) — 12-10, 11-1, 11-3
8S |
Varun Fuloria (COL) def. Ishant Shah (HAR) — 11-5, 7-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-5
9S |
Laszlo Godde (COL) def. Marcus Lee (HAR) — 11-7, 11-9, 11-4
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