Netters ranked in preseason polls Franco among best in nation

With the release of the 2005 Intercollegiate Tennis Association preseason rankings, the University of Arkansas women’s tennis team finds itself ranked 63rd in Division 1A. With a strong fall that produced over 90 wins under their belts, the Lady Razorbacks are excited to begin a new season with a young team. “We are excited to begin the new season,” said head coach Michael Hegarty. “Our success in the fall and progress during the break will certainly make waves this spring.” Also in the rankings for Arkansas is freshman Maryori Franco. The Barranquilla, Colombia native currently ranks 118th on the singles preseason poll. Franco tallied 11 wins in the 2004 fall season, and began her Lady’Back career 4-0 at the Lady Razorback Fall Invitational. Franco’s biggest win of the fall came in a 6-2, 6-4 upset at the USTA Collegiate Classic in Flushing, NY over North Carolina’s Aneala Mojvis. Franco joins 21 other Southeastern Conference players in the singles preseason rankings. Of the 21 ranked SEC players, Franco is one of four freshman. The Lady Razorbacks open the 2005 spring season on Jan. 29th against Oral Roberts University at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please visit www.ladybacks.com.