March 9, 2010

LUBBOCK, Texas - After posting three wins last week, including two over nationally ranked opponents, the Texas Tech men's tennis team climbed up three spots to No. 15 in this week's Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings.

This is the highest ranking for Tech since being ranked 15th during the 2008 season, in which they finished the year at No. 20. During the 2005 season, the Red Raiders were ranked as high as No. 9 and finished the year No. 12 - both were the highest season and year-ending rankings for Tech.

The Red Raiders (12-1) are currently on a 10-match winning streak after capturing the title at the HEB Tournament of Champions Classic last weekend in Corpus Christi. Tech defeated Louisiana-Lafayette, 4-0, in the first round match before beating then No. 64 Western Michigan, 4-0. The Red Raiders went on to defeat No. 23 BYU, 4-1, in the championship match.

On the year, Tech's top two players - No. 12 Raony Carvalho and No. 58 Gonzalo Escobar are a combined 19-2.

Tech has the weekend off before heading to Montgomery, Ala., for the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic March 18-21. All 16 teams competing in the tournament are nationally ranked.