March 15, 2011

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Although both the Maryland men's and women's tennis teams enjoyed a week off from competition, the two squads continued to make waves in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings moving up to No. 43 and No. 34, respectively, in the latest team standings released Tuesday afternoon. The women have enjoyed unparalleled success this season led by junior Cristina Sanchez-Quintanar. Sanchez-Quintanar entered the ITA singles rankings for the first time this season at No. 121 after getting off to a 10-0 start in the dual season. She and doubles partner Jordaan Sanford are 11-0 in dual doubles. The last time the Terps were ranked in the top 35 was February 25, 2007 when No. 33 Maryland faced Princeton. The Terps two loses are the fewest through at least 10 games since 2003, before ACC expansion. The Maryland women got off to a hot start winning five of their first six and enter Thursday's Georgetown match 9-2, 0-2 ACC record before facing a tough four-game stretch (Maryland's March 15 meet at Richmond was canceled due to weather). After Georgetown, all of the Terps next three opponents are currently ranked in the ITA Top 15. Maryland takes on No. 11 Virginia at 1 p.m. at the Tennis Center at College Park Sunday before playing host to No. 3 North Carolina Friday and No. 4 Duke Sunday, March 27. The Maryland men (9-3, 1-2 ACC) are also generating some attention, grabbing the No. 43 spot this week up one from last week. The Terp men also boast a ranked singles and doubles team. Junior transfer Maros Horny is No. 75, while sophomores Tommy Laine and John Collins sit at No. 70 in the latest doubles rankings. The Terps highest ranking on school record prior to this season is No. 45 (March, 2007). Weekly rankings prior to 2000 are not available. The Terps get another six days off before heading to Kentucky to face No. 28 Louisville at 2:30 p.m. They play the No. 14 Kentucky Wildcats Tuesday at noon in Lexington.