Tampa Tennis Comes in at No. 14 in Preseason Poll

TEMPE, Ariz. - The University of Tampa tennis team will open its 2023 season as the No. 14 team in the nation, according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's NCAA Division II poll, which is sponsored by Tennis Point.

This marks the first time since 2011 that the Spartans appear in the preseason poll, and the highest in program history. UT finished the 2022 season at No. 36 in the national poll.

Tampa is one of eight Sunshine State Conference schools in the top-25, as league schools account for the top three spots with four teams in the preseason top-10.

Five-time defending NCAA National Champions, Barry, who will earn all eight first-place votes in the Jan. 20 Preseason Coaches Poll. Featuring a mix of new and returning players, the Bucs will be led once again by Deniz Khazan who is back for her senior season after ending 2022 as the No. 1 ranked singles player in the nation.

The 2022 NCAA Semifinalists, Nova Southeastern, come in just behind Barry at the No. 2 spot. The Sharks return a seasoned lineup, including Fatima Bizhukova and Natalie Espinal who won the ITA Doubles Championship at the ITA Cup this past fall.

Rounding out the remainder of the Top Five are Saint Leo (No. 3), Hawaii Pacific (No. 4), and Flagler (No. 5) who all have high hopes set for their 2023 dual match season.

The ITA Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the ITA National Ranking Committee. The Division II Women's National Ranking Committee is made up of the 8 ITA Region Chairs, with each chair casting an individual, secret ballot.