Razorback Tennis Opens 2007 Season with Top 30 Ranking

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Arkansas tennis will open the 2007 season at No. 30 in the nation, it was announced by the Fila Collegiate Tennis Rankings on Wednesday.

Arkansas, after a strong fall outing, will open the spring season Jan. 19 at the ITA Regional Playoff. The Razorbacks will have their first dual match when the travel to Tulsa to face the Golden Hurricane, Jan. 30, at 6 p.m. Arkansas will open the home portion of its schedule Tues., Feb. 6 with a double header against Cowley County C.C. at 11 a.m. and Wichita State at 6 p.m.

The SEC is as dominating as ever this season as all 12 of the SEC schools are ranked in the top 63. Georgia leads the way at No. 1. Ole Miss is also in the top ten at No. 6 and Florida enters in the top 20 at No. 17.

The 2006 season was another solid showing for head coach Robert Cox and his squad. Cox, now in his 20th season as the Razorbacks’ leader, guided the Cardinal and White to a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and Adrians Zguns to All-America honors. The squad finished 18-11, the highest win total in 17 years.

The 2007 roster will look quite different from the list in 2006. Cox lost five of his top six players to graduation and illness. Blake Strode, ranked No. 57 in the nation, will most likely play at the No. 1 spot. Strode, after going 27-7 during his freshmen campaign, posted a fall record of 9-3 with trips to the Polo All-American Championships and the ITA Central Regional Championships. Four freshmen, two redshirt freshmen and five sophomores will join two juniors and one senior for a blended but experienced roster.

For a complete listing of the Fila Collegiate Tennis Rankings, visit www.itatennis.com. For the complete 2007 Arkansas tennis schedule, visit www.hogwired.com.