TEMPE, Ariz. --- The Tusculum University men's tennis team is ranked 30th in the first Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II computer team rankings of the 2023 season, the ITA announced this week.

The Pioneers entered the week with a 5-3 record and had been receiving votes in the initial 2023 rankings conducted by the ITA National Ranking Committee. Also ranked for the Pioneers is Rhodri Atkinson, who is 61st nationally in singles.

Including Thursday's loss to Flagler, Tusculum has played five of its seven spring matches against teams ranked in this week's Top 50. The Pioneers own a win over 24th-ranked Charleston, with losses to 14th-ranked Lee, 17th-ranked North Georgia, 31st-ranked Flagler and 38th-ranked Young Harris.

Tusculum has three more matches against teams currently inside the ITA Top 50, as the Pioneers will face 34th-ranked Newberry on Sunday, March 12, 20th-ranked Anderson on Tuesday, April 4, and 26th-ranked Wingate on Friday, April 7.

Atkinson entered the week with a 10-3 record, including a 7-1 mark in dual matches. He was undefeated against Division II opponents this spring until a loss to 32nd-ranked Nikita Tatyanin of Flagler on Thursday, which ended a six-match winning streak for Atkinson. The Longhope, England native was ranked 48th in Division II in singles at the end of last season while playing at Lenoir-Rhyne.

The ITA Rankings Algorithm is based on an accumulation of win points and loss points, accounting for a win-loss record, the strength of schedule, and the depth/significance of wins and losses. As the season progresses, the value of each win and loss adjusts to reflect the most recent ranking of the opponent.

The ITA will release a Top 50 National Team Ranking, Top 75 National Singles Ranking and Top 50 National Doubles Ranking each week through April 24, with the final national and regional rankings unveiled in late May following the conclusion of the NCAA Division II Championship.