Gavin Manders will represent Ball State University at the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) tournament in Wisconsin in April after qualifying for the competition last week.

Manders traded his tennis racket for a table tennis racket and managed to navigate his way through the school's tournament, where he came up against 25 competitors in a double elimination format, placing second to reach the regional championships.

At the regionals, the Bermuda Davis Cup player finished third to book his ticket to the big dance and will become the first Bermudian to play in the tournament.

"I found out about the Ball State table tennis tournament from David Thomas as I was transferring to Ball State," said Manders.

"I signed up for the tournament as I love anything that is close to tennis.

"I made it all the way to the final where I lost to an Indian player who used to play professionally when he was in India. It felt great to make it to regionals and represent not only Ball State but Bermuda in a sport other then tennis.

"My tennis talent and tennis knowledge helped me but also hurt me as when I played the better players, they use all types of spins that gave me trouble. But I feel that my heart and competitive nature to step up on the big point played an important role in my success in regionals. "

In the regionals, the 23 year-old bowed out in the semi-finals.

Not too down on his exit, Manders was pleased with his performance and can now focus on his preparation for the nationals.

"I made it to the final eight and won my first game, before losing in the semi-finals to the same player who beat me at my school tournament," he said.

"He knew my weaknesses as I think like a tennis player rather then a table tennis player and he exploited them.

"I don't know how well I would do at Nationals but I love any challenge and look forward to competing against the best.

"I am looking at this as just another competition to get ready mentally for Davis Cup this June."