Feb. 1, 2005
SKILLMAN, N.J. - Santa Clara University women's tennis earned the program's first-ever national ranking with a strong start to the 2005 season. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association listed the Broncos 70th nationally in its second set of rankings this season, achieving a major milestone for the 40-year-old program.
"This is a very exciting time four our program," first-year head coach Damon Coupe said. "At the beginning of the year, each player wrote down their goals for me and each one listed `to become nationally ranked' That's how we have tried to practice and prepare for our season--with that goal in our heads. I am so proud of our team and we are looking to climb even higher in the rankings as the year progresses."
The Broncos opened the season January 16 with a 5-2 victory against Cal State Fullerton. SCU followed the next day with a major win against 56th-ranked Cal Poly, on the Mustangs' home courts in San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly fell 15 spots in this week's poll and is now one spot below the Broncos.
Santa Clara took a loss to 21st-ranked Fresno State the following weekend, but the squad's strength of schedule impressed ITA voters, who granted SCU 36 votes in the poll.
Santa Clara returns to action next week, visiting Santa Barbara for matches against UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara. The Broncos will open the home season on February 16, hosting Hawaii at 3 p.m. at the Degheri Tennis Center. That contest will kick off a strong four-match homestand for the team that will also bring in Pac-10 power Washington State, West Coast Conference rival Saint Mary's, and Bay Area opponent San Jose State.
For the complete national rankings list, please Click Here.