TEMPE, Ariz. --- The Tusculum University men's tennis team moved up to 35th in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Team Rankings, the ITA announced Wednesday.

The Pioneers began the week with a 7-4 record and ranked 43rd in Division II, ahead of Tuesday's 7-0 victory over Lincoln Memorial. Tusculum has won three straight matches and is 4-0 in the South Atlantic Conference, tied for first place with Wingate.

Graduate student Rhodri Atkinson gained 13 positions in the Division II singles rankings, climbing from 57th to 44th overall. The Longhope, England native is 13-4 overall this season, with a 10-2 record in dual matches and a 4-0 mark in conference play. Atkinson is 9-1 against Division II opponents this spring, and has won three consecutive matches while dropping a total of six games.

Joining Tusculum in the Division II rankings from the SAC are Carson-Newman (26th), Anderson (28th), Wingate (31st), Limestone (37th) and Newberry (43rd). Other Tusculum opponents ranked this week are Lee (14th), Flagler (15th), North Georgia (20th), Charleston (41st) and Young Harris (44th).

The Pioneers are 2-2 against ranked teams this season, with wins over Charleston and Carson-Newman, and are 2-4 against teams in the current national rankings.

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.

Four of the Pioneers' last eight matches are against teams that are ranked this week, starting Friday with a visit to 37th-ranked Limestone at 2 p.m.