Mar. 18, 1997

Men's Tennis Reaches Highest Rank Ever

CHARLOTTESVILLE, UVa.-- The University of Virginia men's tennis team has jumped to 15th in the current Rolex Collegiate Tennis Rankings released today. The Cavaliers #15 ranking is the highest in school history. They were ranked 44th in the last ranking (released March 4), the previous best in school history. Their 29-place jump is the biggest in this ranking.

Virginia is 10-3 this season and has defeated three ranked teams already this season. The Cavaliers began the spring season by defeating #10 South Alabama 6-1 at the O'Charley's/Vol Tennis Classic. Virginia also defeated #50 South Florida 4-3 and #24 Florida State 4-3 on its recent spring trip to Florida.

Captain Scott Lebovitz is ranked 83rd nationally among singles players in the current ranking. The senior from Marietta, Ga., was unranked previously. He is 19-10 this season and has defeated the last four ranked opponents he's played.

Virginia's doubles team of Bear Schofield and Justin Smith is ranked 26th in the current doubles ranking, up from #32. They are 11-9 this season and advanced to the quarterfinals of doubles play at the National Clay Court Championships in September.