FORT WORTH – Riding a three-match winning streak over ranked opponents, TCU’s women’s tennis team climbed to No. 20 in the ITA College Team Rankings that were released today.
It is TCU’s highest ranking since checking at 19th in the March 18, 2008 version of the rankings. The Horned Frogs are currently 6-1 on the year, with their only loss coming to Alabama, which was ranked No. 9 at the time and now sits at No. 5.
“We have a long way to go,” TCU coach Dave Borelli said. “It’s what happens at the end of the year that matters most. First off, we’re in great shape to make the NCAAs and that’s the first step. Secondly, it helps us in recruiting and we love to be up there in the rankings. But, it’s still February and we’ve got room to keep improving because it doesn’t mean that much right now.”
In its last three matches, TCU has dropped No. 46 Pepperdine, No. 17 Vanderbilt and No. 30 Arizona. Each of those rankings was as of the time of the match. TCU opened the year at No. 35 and jumped to No. 28 after its win over Vanderbilt.
The Frogs are the second-highest ranked team in the Big 12, falling in just behind Texas Tech, who is No. 19. Baylor is 24th and Texas, which was yesterday selected by the league’s coaches to win the conference, is 29th.
In addition to the team rankings, senior Olivia Smith has her highest-career singles ranking of 50th after opening the season with a 6-0 record. Sophomore Stefanie Tan is ranked 54th in the singles rankings, while sophomore Simona Parajova is 95th.
TCU’s top doubles tandem of Millie Nichols and Smith debuted at No. 37 this spring after winning their last six matches. Two of those came over opponents ranked among the nation’s top-29 teams at the time.
TCU takes on No. 47-ranked North Texas on Wednesday. First serve is set for 2 p.m. in Denton.
“Tomorrow’s match will be tough and we have a lot to play for with them having beaten us last year,” Borelli said. “We’ve just got to keep playing aggressive tennis and playing to win.”
