Impressive Week Vaults KU Tennis into National Rankings
March 11, 2008
<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAWRENCE, Kan. — Following a week in which it recorded victories against two nationally-ranked teams, the University of Kansas tennis squad has been ranked 55th in the latest ITA national poll, which was released on Tuesday afternoon.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
KU’s appearance in the poll this week is its first since being tabbed No. 67 on Jan. 30, 2007. It is also the highest ranking for the program since it was 55th in the March 17, 2003 poll.
The Jayhawks are coming off one of their most impressive weeks in recent years. First, Kansas traveled to rival Kansas State, which at the time was ranked 67th, and gutted out a 4-3 win to open league play 1-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 season and snap a three-match losing streak to the Wildcats.
Not to be outdone, Kansas then followed with another hard-fought 4-3 victory over then-No. 47 New Mexico on Sunday to even its record at 5-5.
Senior Lauren Hommell, who missed the entire fall season with an arm injury, picked up the clinching singles win in each dual, including a come-from-behind victory in the No. 6 singles contest against KSU’s Olga Klimova.
Also putting together a solid week for KU was junior Edina Horvath, who won both of her singles matches to improve her dual record to a team-best 8-2.
Kansas is one of five Big 12 schools in this week’s national rankings, joined by No. 5 Baylor, No. 18 Texas, No. 26 Texas A&M and No. 58 Nebraska.
The Jayhawks will look to continue their strong play this weekend when they travel Colorado on Friday and Missouri on Sunday.
