'Cuse Tennis Remains At #27 Nationally
4/26/2016 4:02:00 PM | Tennis
SYRACUSE, N.Y.-Â For the second consecutive week, the Syracuse women's tennis team ranks No. 27 nationally in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings.Â
The Orange (14-8, 7-7 ACC) recently won their first contest in Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament play, defeating No. 35 North Carolina State 4-3 before falling to No. 7 Miami in the quarterfinals by a final score of 4-2. Syracuse earned a bye in the first round of the tournament due to their stellar efforts in regular-season play.
In the latest ITA rankings, graduate student Anna Shkudun moved up to No. 58 nationally while freshman Gabriela Knutson is up to No. 78. Shkudun defeated No. 37 Martina Frantova of NC State 6-4, 6-4 to help the Orange advance into the ACC quarterfinals. Knutson won both of her matches in ACC Tournament play, defeating Bianca Moldovan of NC State and No. 61 Wendy Zhang of Miami. The freshman beat both of her opponents in two straight sets to move to 16-5 on the year in singles.
Also moving up in the ITA rankings was Knutson and doubles partner Valeria Salazar. The duo jumped up three spots from No. 29 to No. 26 after defeating No. 9 Stephanie Wagner and Wendy Zhang of Miami.Â
The ACC is tied with the SEC as the only two conferences to have five schools ranked among the top 16, showing how difficult of a schedule Syracuse has. Despite the tough loss to Miami in the conference quarterfinals, the Orange showed toughness and grit in the match. Miami proves to be a strong team year in and year out, reaching the NCAA Tournament 20 years in a row while making it into the Sweet 16 each of the last 10 years.Â
As for Syracuse, the Orange are seeking their first NCAA Tournament bid as a team. Ranking inside the top 30 definitely helps their cause and Syracuse will learn its NCAA Team Championship draw Tuesday, May 3 at 5 p.m.Â
For more information and updates, follow Syracuse women's tennis on Twitter (@Cuse_Tennis), Instagram (@CuseTennis) and Facebook.Â
The Orange (14-8, 7-7 ACC) recently won their first contest in Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament play, defeating No. 35 North Carolina State 4-3 before falling to No. 7 Miami in the quarterfinals by a final score of 4-2. Syracuse earned a bye in the first round of the tournament due to their stellar efforts in regular-season play.
In the latest ITA rankings, graduate student Anna Shkudun moved up to No. 58 nationally while freshman Gabriela Knutson is up to No. 78. Shkudun defeated No. 37 Martina Frantova of NC State 6-4, 6-4 to help the Orange advance into the ACC quarterfinals. Knutson won both of her matches in ACC Tournament play, defeating Bianca Moldovan of NC State and No. 61 Wendy Zhang of Miami. The freshman beat both of her opponents in two straight sets to move to 16-5 on the year in singles.
Also moving up in the ITA rankings was Knutson and doubles partner Valeria Salazar. The duo jumped up three spots from No. 29 to No. 26 after defeating No. 9 Stephanie Wagner and Wendy Zhang of Miami.Â
The ACC is tied with the SEC as the only two conferences to have five schools ranked among the top 16, showing how difficult of a schedule Syracuse has. Despite the tough loss to Miami in the conference quarterfinals, the Orange showed toughness and grit in the match. Miami proves to be a strong team year in and year out, reaching the NCAA Tournament 20 years in a row while making it into the Sweet 16 each of the last 10 years.Â
As for Syracuse, the Orange are seeking their first NCAA Tournament bid as a team. Ranking inside the top 30 definitely helps their cause and Syracuse will learn its NCAA Team Championship draw Tuesday, May 3 at 5 p.m.Â
For more information and updates, follow Syracuse women's tennis on Twitter (@Cuse_Tennis), Instagram (@CuseTennis) and Facebook.Â
Players Mentioned
Syracuse Tennis - Court 5
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Syracuse Tennis
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Syracuse Tennis - Court 6
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Syracuse Tennis - Court 3
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