Gamecocks Crack Top-25 in Preseason Oracle/ITA Rankings

COLUMBIA, S.C.- South Carolina men’s tennis came in at No. 25 in the first Oracle/ITA Team Rankings of the 2019 spring season the ITA announced Wednesday.  The Gamecocks are one of seven Southeastern Conference schools inside the top 25 and one of 11 total SEC teams to receive votes in the first poll of the season.

The Gamecocks have now started the spring inside the top-25 each of the past two seasons, the first consecutive preseason top-25 rankings for South Carolina since 1999-2000. 
 
South Carolina finished the 2018 season at No. 23 in the final team rankings of the season after advancing to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament where it fell to eventual national champions, Wake Forest.
 
Carolina will make history this January as it travels to Melbourne, Australia for the first dual matches at the Australian Open. The Gamecocks will be joined by Southern California for both exhibition and regular-season matches, marking the inaugural contests to take place on location during one of the four professional Grand Slam events.
 
The Gamecocks kick off their non-conference schedule at home with a doubleheader against the Citadel on Friday beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a match against Presbyterian on Sunday at 10 a.m.
 
The Gamecocks’ current roster, consisting of six freshmen and just three upperclassmen, finished a combined 96-41 (.701) in singles matches and 25-19 (.568) in doubles matches throughout their fall tournament slate.
 
For men’s tennis updates, continue to check back with GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team on social media (@GamecockMTennis).