College Tennis News - A&M Cracks Top 10 for First Time Since 2001

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M women's tennis team has climbed to No. 10 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) national rankings, released today. It is the first time the Aggies have been in the Top 10 since an all-time high No. 9 ranking on March 28, 2001.

Texas A&M, under the direction of second-year head coach Howard Joffe, improved to 5-1 following three consecutive wins against Top 15 opponents, including a 4-3 victory at No. 13 Michigan last weekend. The Aggies' only loss this season was against current No. 1 North Carolina at the ITA National Team Indoor Championship earlier this month.

A&M, which climbed one spot after a No. 11 ranking in last week's ITA poll, is one of four Top 10 teams representing the Southeastern Conference. Defending national champion and SEC preseason favorite Florida is No. 4, followed by No. 5 Georgia and No. 9 Alabama.

Other teams in the Top 10 are No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Duke, No. 6 USC, No. 7 Cal and No. 9 Northwestern. Go to ITATennis.com for the complete rankings.

The Aggies return to action Monday as they play host to Sam Houston State at 3 p.m. at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center. The match is the first of four home matches over a seven-day span as A&M hosts former Big 12 Conference foe and 19th-ranked Baylor on Wednesday, Feb. 27 and then opens its inaugural SEC season Friday, March 1 against No. 38 South Carolina. The Aggies close out their longest home stand of the season with a meeting against the defending national and SEC-champion Gators on Sunday, March 3.

Season and individual match tickets can be purchased online anytime at 12thManFoundation.com or during business hours at the Athletic Ticket Office located in The Zone at Kyle Field or by calling the ticket office at 1-888-99-AGGIE or 979-845-2311. Tickets also will be available for purchase on game days at the Mitchell Tennis Center beginning one hour before match time.

Visit AggieAthletics.com for more information on Texas A&M women's tennis. Aggie fans also can keep up to date with the A&M women's tennis team on Twitter by following @AggieWTEN or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Aggie-Womens-Tennis/143874782434654

Upcoming Schedule:

Monday, Feb. 25 vs. Sam Houston State, 3 p.m. (Mitchell Tennis Center)

Wednesday, Feb. 27 vs. No. 19 Baylor, 4 p.m. (Mitchell Tennis Center)

Friday, March 1 vs. No. 38 South Carolina, 5 p.m. (Mitchell Tennis Center)

Sunday, March 3 vs. No. 4 Florida, 12 p.m. (Mitchell Tennis Center)