TEMPE, Ariz. --- Tusculum University picked up 18 positions in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II Women's Tennis National Team Rankings this week, moving from 47th to 29th according to Wednesday's release from the ITA.

The Pioneers began the week with an 11-5 overall record, then picked up victories over 10th-ranked Newberry (5-2) on Monday and 15th-ranked Wingate (4-3) on Tuesday before defeating Emory & Henry 5-2 on Wednesday. Tusculum closes its regular season on Thursday against 34th-ranked Catawba on the road in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Newberry remains just outside this week's ITA Top 10 in 11th place, trailed by Wingate (15th), Tusculum (29th), Catawba (34th), Anderson (35th) and Limestone (50th) from the South Atlantic Conference. Ranked non-conference opponents of the Pioneers are Flagler (5th), North Georgia (12th), Charleston (18th) and Lee (38th). Tusculum is 4-4 against teams in this week's 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 Thursday's match at Catawba, the Pioneers will be back on the court on Thursday, April 20 in the SAC Championship tournament quarterfinal round at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, South Carolina. The tournament will continue with semifinals on Friday, April 21 and the championship match on Saturday, April 22.