STILLWATER, Okla. – Toledo senior Pawit Sornlaksup saw his individual run in the NCAA Division I Men's Championship come to an end after falling in two sets to Arizona's Colton Smith on hot Monday afternoon in Stillwater, Okla.

Sornlaksup, the No.65 ranked player in the country, stayed close with No.22-ranked Smith and was ahead 4-3 in the first set before Smith won three straight games to take the opener 6-4. Sornlaksup trailed 4-3 in the second set before losing 6-3.

Smith now advances into tomorrow's round of 32 while Sornlaksup concludes an illustrious career at Toledo, including winning three MAC Player of the Year honors.

Head Coach Al Wermer, who noted that the windy, 90-degree playing conditions were less than ideal, praised Sornlaksup's role as one of the all-time greats in Toledo men's tennis history.

"We're very proud of Pawit and his historic career," said Wermer. "He represented the Toledo family through his humility, toughness, and leadership."

Sornlaksup, who the first Rocket ever to compete in the nationals as an individual, said playing in the NCAAs was the culminating moment of his career as a Rocket.

"It was my dream to play at the NCAAs as an individual and I always knew that it was never going to be easy," Sornlaksup said after his match. "Everyone that qualified for this event, they have something special. I am very proud of myself for being in this tournament. In my three years as a Rocket, this year was perfect. I got every opportunity I could, and am never going to regret it at all in the next 10-20 years when I look back and see that I have a Rocket on my shirt."

2024 NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships
Stillwater, Okla. | Greenwood Tennis Center
Singles Championship Draw | Monday, May 20

Monday Results
#22 Colton Smith (Arizona) def. #65 Pawit Sornlaksup (Toledo) 6-4, 6-3