March 6, 2003

Columbia, SC- For the sixth consecutive weeks the South Carolina men’s tennis team improved their national ranking, coming in at No. 14 in this week’s ITA National Rankings. The Gamecocks will be back in action on Friday at 2:00 p.m. against LSU at the Sam Daniel Tennis Center. USC will also host Arkansas over the weekend in a match scheduled for Sunday at 1:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather matches will be moved to the USC Indoor Facility.

The Gamecocks improved one spot in the latest poll after splitting their first two matches in SEC play. USC began the weekend with a 4-3 victory over Mississippi State. The victory over the Bulldogs marked the 500th career win for Gamecock coach Kent DeMars. On Sunday South Carolina fell 4-2 to No. 8 Ole Miss. Angelo Niculescu and Carl Wermee each gained singles victories in the contest, keeping both netters undefeated in dual match play. South Carolina enters Friday’s match with a record of 8-1(1-1 SEC) on the season.