Jan. 24, 2013

NORMAN, Okla. - -

The University of Memphis men’s tennis team (1-0) improved its team ranking to No. 31 in the country in the latest polls released, Tuesday, and will face a team out of the top 10 in the opening match of the ITA Kickoff Weekend, Saturday, at 2 p.m. when they play at No. 8 Oklahoma. The match-up with Oklahoma will be a big test for a Tigers’ squad looking to break into the top 25 for the first time in school history.

“Playing Oklahoma will be good for us,” Head Coach Paul Goebel said. “We got a good win over Michigan State last week, and then Michigan State went and beat Vanderbilt, so that helped our ranking. Now, we have a good chance to see where we are against a top 10 program, it might not be that far off, but playing them on their home court will be a good test for us to see where we are.”

Oklahoma is one of 13 ranked opponents on the Tigers’ spring slate, and is one of four top 31 ranked programs at this weekend’s ITA Kickoff event in Norman. After Memphis plays Oklahoma, they will face either No. 28 Harvard or No. 30 Notre Dame on Sunday in the second day of the ITA Kickoff Weekend.

With all three other teams ranked above them, wins this weekend would push Memphis closer to the Top 25. The Tigers’ current No. 31 ranking ties for the second-best in program history, matching a mark they set two times last season (Apr. 3 and Apr. 30). Memphis capped last season with a No. 35 national ranking. The team’s highest-ever team ranking was at No. 30, on Mar. 20th last season.

ITA Kickoff Weekend – Norman, Okla.
Saturday, January 26
No. 28 Harvard vs. No. 30 Notre Dame, 10 a.m.
No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 31 Memphis, 2 p.m.
Sunday, January 27
No. 31 Memphis vs. No. 28 Harvard/No. 30 Notre Dame, 9 a.m.
No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 28 Harvard/No. 30 Notre Dame, Noon

For complete ITA National Rankings (college tennis ranks the top 75) click HERE

ITA National Rankings (Top 35 -- Jan. 22nd)
	1. Virginia
	2. University of Southern California
	3. UCLA
	4. Ohio State
	5. Duke
	6. Georgia
	7. Pepperdine
	8. Oklahoma
	9. Kentucky
	10. Stanford
	11. Mississippi State
	12. Florida
	13. Ole Miss
	14. California, Berkley
	15. Baylor
	16. Illinois
	17. Texas
	18. North Carolina
	19. Tennessee
	20. Michigan
	21. Auburn
	22. Washington
	23. Indiana
	24. Tulsa
	25. LSU
	26. Texas A&M
	27. University of San Diego
	28. Harvard
	29. Texas Tech
	30. Notre Dame
	31. MEMPHIS
	32. VCU
	33. Florida State
	34. Minnesota
	35. Santa Clara