Jan. 8, 2008
WACO, Texas - Baylor's men's tennis team is ranked No. 4 and Denes Lukacs and David Galic are ranked among the top 100 nationally in the first Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) ranking of the spring season. The rankings include the nation's top 100 singles players and 50 doubles teams.
"We are honored to be recognized by the coaches with this ranking. Our team is eager to start competing later this month," said head coach Matt Knoll.
Playing a large part in the Bears' No. 4 ranking is the fact that Baylor returns six players off last season's 28-4 squad, including two-time All-American Lars Poerschke. Knoll's team has been the most successful men's tennis team over the past five seasons, ranking no lower than No. 4 in the final poll during that span.
In the upcoming season, the Bears will play matches against five of the other nine teams ranked among the top 10; Virginia, Ohio State, Southern California, Texas and UCLA.
ITA Team Rankings (Top 10)
1. Virginia
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Baylor
5. Mississippi
6. Southern California
7. Texas
8. Illinois
9. UCLA
10. North Carolina
Lukacs, a sophomore from Eger, Hungary, enjoyed an impressive fall season and was rewarded with a No. 10 singles ranking. During fall play he posted an 18-4 record, including an 11-4 mark over ranked opponents. Ranked No. 78 in preseason rankings, Lukacs posted wins over eight top-50 players including straight-sets victories over No. 2 Steven Moneke (Ohio State), No. 7 Erling Tveit (Mississippi) and No. 9 Ryan Rowe (Illinois). In addition Lukacs claimed the championship of the prestigious Fluitt Invitational and the South Central Regional Tournament.
Galic, a junior from Frankston, Australia, registered some impressive victories during fall competition en route to a No. 79 rank, the first singles national ranking of his career.
For a full list of rankings, please visit: www.itatennis.com.
