Four Gamecocks Capture Preseason Rankings

Sept. 12, 2017

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Three Gamecocks will open this season ranked in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) top 85, according to the organization’s preseason rankings, released today. Incoming freshman Francisco Cerundolo stands at seventh in the Freshman-Newcomer Rankings. The ITA also placed three returning Gamecocks in the top 100 of the singles rankings and doubles team Yancy Dennis and Harrison O’Keefe in the top 10.

Junior Gabriel Friedrich earned South Carolina’s highest spot in the ITA Singles Rankings, coming in at No. 28. The two Gamecock seniors both earned sports in the top 100, with O’Keefe ranked No. 41 and Thomas Mayronne ranked No. 84.

Cerundolo is one of 10 newcomers nationally to earn a spot in the ITA Division 1 Freshman-Newcomer Rankings. Cerundolo joins the Gamecocks from Buenos Aires, Argentina, having already shown his potential on an international stage, as he is currently ranked No. 1213 in the ATP World Tour.

Junior Gabriel Friedrich earned South Carolina’s highest spot in the ITA Singles Rankings, coming in at No. 28. The two Gamecocks seniors both earned sports in the top-100, with Harrison O’Keefe ranked No. 41 and Thomas Mayronne ranked No. 84.

South Carolina tallied its second top-10 ranking with O’Keefe and his doubles partner Dennis, a junior, taking the No. 8 spot in the ITA Preseason Doubles Rankings.

The Gamecocks will compete as individuals in various competitions throughout the fall, leading up to the first week of intercollegiate competition. The first week of ITA Regular-Season Rankings will be released Jan. 3, 2018.