Men’s and women’s tennis each among preseason top 25

As students return to campus for the spring semester (classes start Monday), Baylor’s spring sports are preparing for their 2009 campaigns. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its first team rankings of the year, and once again, both the Baylor men and women find themselves among the top 10 teams in the nation.

After finishing last season 32-3 and advancing to the NCAA semifinals, head coach Joey Scrivano’s Lady Bears earned their highest-ever preseason ranking, coming in at No. 4. While the ranking is a program-best, placing in the top-10 is not exactly new for the women; Baylor has now been among the preseason’s top 10 in four of the past five years.

Head coach Matt Knoll’s men, meanwhile, are riding an even more impressive streak. Their No. 7 ranking this spring marks the seventh year in a row that the Bears have been among the preseason top 10. The team lost in the NCAA quarterfinals last season to then top-ranked Virginia.

Both teams face tough 2009 schedules. The women will battle at least 10 other top-25 teams during the regular season, while the men will square off against seven of the other nine schools currently ranked in the top 10.

Sic ’em, Baylor tennis!