Feb. 24, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
In the latest ITA Collegiate Tennis Rankings released Tuesday, the University of South Carolina men’s tennis team jumped up two spots to No. 22 in the national polls. The Gamecocks had dropped as low as 25th, but an 8-0 start by Carolina has them climbing back up. In the latest poll, Carolina jumped ahead of Georgia and Vanderbilt. USC takes on Francis Marion and Gardner Webb Saturday at the Sam Daniel Tennis Center beginning at 11 a.m. Two wins Saturday will mark the Garnet and Black’s best start since 1984.

2003 National Champion Illinois continues to be the team to beat, remaining at No. 1. The Southeastern Conference again has proved it is second to none, with three teams in the top 10 and seven in the top 25, including South Carolina. 11 of the 12 SEC teams are ranked in the top 40 – more than any other conference, with Mississippi State coming in at 41. USC is fifth in the national rankings among SEC teams.

In one of their toughest schedules in recent memory, 15 Gamecock opponents are ranked in the top 50.

SEC Teams Ranked
2. Ole Miss
4. Florida
10. Louisiana State
14. Kentucky
22. South Carolina
24. Georgia
25. Vanderbilt
28. Alabama
35. Arkansas
36. Auburn
37. Tennessee
41. Mississippi State