Jan. 5, 2016
ITA RANKINGS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With the dual season around the corner, the ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) has released its first rankings of the 2015-16 season. The 2015 SEC and NCAA champion Vanderbilt Commodores hold down their position atop the rankings as the No. 1 team in the country.
“Oh of course we’re thrilled for the recognition to start the college tennis season off as the top ranked team,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald, “but we’re going to focus much more on improvement and building skills and becoming the best team we can become in 2016.”
Following the Commodores in the top 25 rankings were seven additional SEC teams, the most out of any other conference in the country; (VU, 1; UF, 3; Georgia, T-4; Texas A&M, 10; Alabama, 15; LSU, 21; UK 24, MSU 25). Four squads alone cracked the top ten, showing that for yet another year the SEC is an incredibly challenging league when it comes to competition on the court.
“There are eight (ranked), but I think if you ask anybody there are really probably 11 or 12 in the top 25. It’s the best year I’ve seen in the conference in a long time. It’s just an incredible year; the competitiveness is amazing. You know, it’s an honor to be in this conference and play at this level, to play these great teams. It makes you better.”
In Oracle/ITA singles rankings, the `Dores boast a trio of exceptionally hard working veterans with three classes represented. Senior Frances Altick leads the group, jumping 34 spots from the preseason to hold down the No. 15 ranking. Junior Sydney Campbell now owns the 24th spot, with redshirt-sophomore Astra Sharma following at No. 33.
In doubles, Vandy’s dominate duo of Courtney Colton and Campbell sit comfortably as the 11th ranked team in the nation.
“I’ve been very impressed so far by the work ethic of the whole team. If anything, we’re working harder than maybe we ever have as a team, it’s exciting!
Having won a national championship last season, we’re not going into the season looking at it like we’re defending the title. Every year one team emerges as the number one team. We did it in 2015, and we’re going to try to do it again in 2016. We just want to improve and enjoy the great game of tennis.”
Vanderbilt will begin the rigors of the dual season come late January, but first travel down to the Sunshine State to take part in the Miami Invitational from Jan. 15th-17th.
Fans first chance to catch the champs in action will be during the ITA Kickoff, which is hosted by the Commodores and takes place at the Currey Tennis Center from Jan. 23rd-24th.
