Final ITA Atlantic South Men's Tennis Rankings
COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – For the first time in the history of the program, the Ursinus College men's tennis team will end a season with a regional ranking.
The Bears, who finished 12-7 overall and 4-5 in the Centennial Conference, remained at No. 19 in the final set of Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Atlantic South rankings, which were released Friday afternoon. Ursinus held its position from the April 28th poll, the first regional recognition in school history.
Ursinus is one of seven CC schools to end the 2015-16 campaign in the regional rankings. Johns Hopkins tops the group at No. 3, with Swarthmore one spot behind at No. 4. Haverford (11), Franklin & Marshall (12), Dickinson (18), and Washington College (20) were also represented.
Almost half of the Bears' matches this season came against regionally ranked competition. In addition to the six other conference foes, Ursinus also faced 17th-ranked Wilkes and 13th-ranked TCNJ (Northeast Region), challenging itself against a stacked schedule.
The Bears' 5-4 triumph over Washington College on April 14 marked the first over a regionally ranked opponent in school history, and all seven of their losses came to programs with regional standing. Many of those setbacks were tight – Ursinus fell 5-4 to Johns Hopkins and dropped 6-3 decisions to Haverford, Wilkes, and Dickinson.
Ursinus placed a record three players on the All-CC Team this season. Sophomore Max Oberholtzer was a first team singles selection and joined freshman Paul Vecchio for a second team doubles nod, while senior captain Tyler Arsenault was a second team singles honoree after finishing his career tied for the program's all-time lead with 112 victories. Oberholtzer joined Evan Stutchin, a first team choice in 2013 and 2014, as the only players in program history to earn a first team singles laurel.