For the first time in seven years, the U men’s tennis team will have a representative at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s National Indoor Championship.

Junior Zach Ganger, a co-captain and one of the team’s top returning players this season, will join 31 other players nationwide at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, for the annual tournament, which begins today and runs through Nov. 5.

Ganger’s first test-and it’s a big one-comes Thursday afternoon when he faces off against Mississippi’s Erling Tveit, the No. 8 ranked singles player in the nation. The match begins at 5:30 p.m. EST.

“It’s exciting for Zach to be able to compete in the National Indoors this year. We haven’t had someone play in the tournament for a while,” U head coach F.D. Robbins said. “As far as the indoors go, I think he should be able to compete with anybody he plays. With play indoors, it is easy to serve and volley and to play an aggressive game, and that’s Zach’s style. I think if he goes there and competes well, then he can do very well.”

Ganger was given the opportunity to participate in this year’s event because of his showing nearly two weeks ago at the ITA Regionals. Ganger defeated Boise State’s Clancy Shields to win the regional title and earn a ticket to Columbus.