Pioneers check in at 32nd in latest ITA team rankings

Pioneers check in at 32nd in latest ITA team rankings

TEMPE, Ariz. --- The Tusculum University men's tennis team is ranked 32nd in the latest Oracle/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Team Rankings, through matches of April 7.

The Pioneers fell two positions from 30th after they split their two matches last week, beating Mars Hill 6-1 last Wednesday and losing to fifth-ranked Wingate 5-2 at home on Saturday.

Individually, sophomore David Akinpetide slipped to 62nd in the singles rankings, down from 44th last week. Akinpetide lost both of his matches last week and has a cumulative season record of 8-11, including a 4-9 mark in dual matches, and is 2-2 against nationally-ranked opponents.

Tusculum is one of five South Atlantic Conference schools in this week's ITA rankings. Wingate remains fifth, Queens stays in 19th and Lenoir-Rhyne holds on to 33rd, while Anderson moved up one position to 46th.

Non-conference opponents included in this week's rankings are North Georgia in 11th, Indianapolis in 20th, Lee in 41st and Bluefield State in 43rd place. The Pioneers are 4-4 against teams currently ranked in the ITA Top 50.

Following their 5-2 win over Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday, the Pioneers (12-5, 6-3 SAC) will wrap up their regular season on Saturday at Catawba before opening the SAC Championship tournament with a quarterfinal match on Monday.