TEMPE, Ariz. --- The Tusculum University men's tennis team has climbed to 25th in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Team Rankings, the ITA announced Wednesday.

The Pioneers began the week with a 12-4 overall record, with a winning streak of seven straight matches. Tusculum stretched their streak to eight in a row with a 5-2 win over Newberry on Monday before falling 5-2 to Wingate on Tuesday.

Graduate student Rhodri Atkinson was ranked in singles for the sixth consecutive week, checking in at 69th this week after dropping his only match last week against Anderson. The Longhope, England native began the week with a 15-6 record in singles, including a 12-4 mark in dual matches and a 6-2 mark in South Atlantic Conference play.

Tusculum is among five SAC teams ranked by the ITA this week, joined by Wingate (21st), Anderson (36th), Carson-Newman (41st), Limestone (46th). Pioneer non-conference opponents in the current ITA rankings are Flagler (9th), Lee (10th), North Georgia (18th), Charleston (33rd) and Young Harris (45th). Tusculum is 4-5 against teams currently included in the ITA Top 50.

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.

After concluding its regular season against Catawba on Thursday, the Pioneers will begin preparation for the SAC Men's Tennis Championship tournament, which will be held April 20-22 at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, South Carolina.