TEMPE, Ariz. --- The Tusculum men's tennis team has entered the Oracle/Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings at 42nd this week, according to the latest survey released Wednesday.

The Pioneers (10-4) have played five ranked teams this season, with their lone victory coming by a 5-4 score over 39th-ranked Young Harris last Friday. All four of Tusculum's losses this season have been away from home against ranked opponents, including 5-4 setbacks to 24th-ranked Palm Beach Atlantic on March 9 and 46th-ranked Coker on March 10, a 6-3 loss to 17th-ranked Bluefield State on March 3 and a 7-2 decision at 23rd-ranked Anderson on March 15.

Tusculum is one of six South Atlantic Conference schools in this week's ITA Division II rankings, joining Wingate (10th), Anderson, Queens (28th), Newberry (44th) and Coker. Four of the Pioneers' final eight scheduled matches are against ranked teams, with SAC contests against Wingate (March 24), Queens (April 7) and Newberry (April 14) along with a home non-conference match against 32nd-ranked North Georgia on March 27.

Beginning this season, the ITA has transitioned to a computer-based ranking system, which was used for the first time in this week's survey and awards point values based on the ranking of the opposing player or team at the time of the match. The ITA rankings will be released weekly through May 2.