Jan. 11, 2005

WACO, Texas - Men's tennis earned its first pre-season No. 1 ranking and the women's team ranks 41st after the Intercollegiate Tennis Association released its 2005 team rankings on Tuesday.

The 2004 national champions return five from last season's roster including 2004 NCAA Singles Champion Benjamin Becker and 2004 ITA Player of the Year Benedikt Dorsch. The Bears also return Barry McLaren, Jon Reckewey and Matija Zgaga from the championship squad.

As for the women, they return six from a squad that finished the 2004 season ranked 43rd by the ITA. No. 43 Carolin Walter leads the 2005 Lady Bears who welcome newcomers No. 92 Zuzana Cerna and Zuzana Zemenova.

Men's singles and doubles rankings have not been released yet. The next ITA team rankings come on Feb. 1.

The men begin spring action this weekend at the Sherwood Classic in Thousand Oaks, Calif. and the women's season begins at Florida Jan. 22 in Gainesville.