By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Surrounded by fans, staff, and administration, the Tennessee Tech tennis team saw its NCAA Tournament future laid out as the Golden Eagles are now cued in on the details of their upcoming postseason plans. Amidst a crowded Eagles Nest on the fourth floor of the Hooper Eblen Center, Tech found out it would be traveling to Columbus, Ohio for a first-round battle with No. 5 Ohio State to help christen the 2016 NCAA Tournament.

Back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006, TTU (15-6) meets the Buckeyes (30-2) on Saturday, May 14. The two clubs are slated to lock up at 12 p.m. CT in the day's second match after Kentucky and Virginia Tech, the other two teams in the region, square off at 9 a.m. CT. The tournament is a single-elimination format with Saturday's two winners facing off Sunday, May 15 at 11 a.m. CT for the right to advance to the Sweet 16.

Tech's berth to the NCAA Tournament marks the seventh in program history.

Having already captured its fourth regular season title in the last five years behind a perfect, 9-0, conference record, the Golden Eagles marched into Nashville and seized the OVC Tournament title with a 4-2 win over Jacksonville State in the semifinals and a 4-3 victory against Eastern Kentucky in the championship bout. TTU's 15 wins are the most since the 2008 season.

Tech's matchup with OSU will be the first all-time meeting between the two programs. The Buckeyes claimed both the regular season and Big Ten tournament championships this spring.

The national quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship are scheduled to be played at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Okla. Stay posted to ttusports.com as well as the Tech Athletics Facebook and Twitter for continuous updates on all things Golden Eagle tennis.