Tampa Tennis Achieves Program’s Highest Ranking at No. 15
SKILLMAN, N.J. - The University of Tampa tennis team is now ranked a program-best No. 15 in the International Tennis Association (ITA) Division II poll that was released by the organization on Wednesday.
This marks the highest rank in program history, passing its highest previous rank awarded in the fall of 2012 at No. 26.
This is the second time in a matter of days that the Spartans have rewritten their history books as they came out at program high No. 5 in last week's regional ranking.
Coming in at the top of the poll are the 2012 defending national champion Armstrong Atlantic. Ahead of the Spartans are Sunshine State Conference opponents Barry University sitting at No. 4, Saint Leo University at No. 7, and Lynn University at No. 8.
Coming in with a 6-3 record, the Spartans only losses have come to top-20 Lynn, Saint Leo, and Rollins. Making a major step forward in the program, the Spartans defeated Nova Southeastern in their conference opener, marking the first time the Spartans have taken down the Sharks since 1996.
With a 7-2 singles and a 7-2 doubles record, captain Lauren Hewett has stepped up her game in the 2013 season, helping lead the way for the Spartans. Hewett's three major wins come off career best performances defeating her opponents from Lynn, Nova, and Rollins.
Freshman Lindsay Nochowicz has also played a huge role in the Spartans success also leading the team with a 7-2 singles and 7-2 doubles record. Nochowicz has earned her spot in the lineup at number four with major wins over Lynn and Nova.
Tampa has also received a boost from nationally-ranked number-one singles player Thashia Garcia and its top doubles tandem of Hewett and Meg Wladimirski, who were regionally ranked in the fall.
The ITA Division II Top 50 Poll is voted on by each of the nine individuals elected on the ranking chairs from each region.
Tampa hosts Walsh University on Monday at 3 p.m. at the Naimoli and Young Family Tennis Complex.