OU Men's Tennis Ranked No. 5 For First Time

The men's tennis team is ranked in the top five for the first time in team history.

The University of Oklahoma men's tennis team is ranked No. 5 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association team rankings. This marks the first time ever OU has placed in the top five in the ITA rankings.

"On a program note, it is nice to reach an all-time program high, and I know it energized our players and supporters," OU head coach John Roddick said. "We are just working hard to play at a high level each time we step on the court."

OU moved up four spots from their last ranking at No. 9. They beat No. 11 Texas A&M, 5-2, in College Station, Texas, Sunday, Feb. 24, in the Sooners' first outdoor appearance of the season.

"It's a good measuring stick to see where we are at this point of the season," Roddick said. "It is still very early in the season and at this point, we are solely concerned with improving and playing better."

In singles rankings, senior Costin Paval is ranked No. 39, advancing 29 spots from his previous position at No. 68. Junior Guillermo Alcorta is steadily climbing the rankings, placing at No. 61, up from No. 65.

The duo of Alcorta and Axel Alvarez Llamas reappear in the doubles rankings, landing at No. 42. Paval and Dane Webb are also ranked, falling at No. 52.

The Sooners stay on the road this weekend to face two top-25 foes. They play No. 22 Wake Forest Friday, March 1, at 5 p.m. in Winston-Salem, N.C. They then face No. 1 Virginia Sunday, March 3, at noon in Charlottesville, Va.