TEMPE, Ariz. --- The Tusculum University men's tennis team is 43rd in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Team Rankings, the ITA announced Wednesday.

The Pioneers slipped from 30th in last week's first computerized rankings of the 2023 season following a loss to Flagler, which is ranked 21st this week. Tusculum, which began the week with a 5-4 record, beat 48th-ranked Carson-Newman 4-3 on Wednesday to improve to 2-0 in the South Atlantic Conference.

In singles, graduate student Rhodri Atkinson moved up four spots to 57th in the national rankings. The Longhope, England native has an 11-4 overall record this season and is 8-2 in dual matches for the Pioneers this season.

The Pioneers are one of six SAC teams in this week's ITA rankings, joined by Anderson (17th), Wingate (29th), Limestone (32nd) and Newberry (40th) in addition to Carson-Newman. Tusculum has played six of its eight spring matches against teams currently ranked, with wins over Charleston (33rd) and Carson-Newman along with losses to Lee (ninth), North Georgia (14th), Flagler and Young Harris (36th).

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 continue to 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.

Tusculum will host Coker on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at the Nichols Tennis Complex.