Feb. 14, 2006

Columbia, S.C. –
South Carolina men’s tennis team achieved yet another milestone on Tuesday, entering the Top 10 in the latest Fila Collegiate Tennis Poll. The Gamecocks (6-1, 0-0 SEC), who are ranked 10th, have shut out three opponents already in 2006, and are headed to Seattle for the USTA/ITA National Team Indoor Championships this weekend, Feb. 17-20. This week will be the 21st week Carolina has spent in the nation’s top 10 since appearing in the 1989 Final Four.

USC has suffered just a single defeat thus far in 2006, as they were tripped up, 4-2, by border rival North Carolina on Monday. Aside from the loss to the Tar Heels, the Gamecocks have blanked Troy, Wofford and Davidson, while going 20-3 in singles matches that have been completed in their other three wins (Appalachian State, Elon and Charlotte).

Carolina will head to Seattle on Thursday and face SEC rival Mississippi in Friday’s first round. The match with the No. 5 Rebels will begin at 11 a.m. (ET) at the Seattle Tennis Club. USC will then face the winner/loser of No. 4 Pepperdine and Florida State in Saturday’s second round. The other four teams in Carolina’s half of the bracket are No. 1 Florida, No. 8 Baylor, No. 9 Duke and Penn.