January 13, 2003

FURMAN MEN'S TENNIS PRESEASON RANKED 71ST, WOMEN 58TH

GREENVILLE, S.C.-- The Furman men's tennis team will start the season ranked No. 71 in the country, while the women will begin at No. 58, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced today.

The men, who finished the 2002 season ranked No. 68 in the nation, are coming off a 15-13 year during which the Paladins won the Southern Conference regular season championship with a perfect 10-0 mark. The women, meanwhile, will return six players from a team that captured Southern Conference regular season and tournament titles, won a first round NCAA Tournament match against LSU, and finished 2002 ranked 46th in the country.

The men's season will begin January 25th at fifth-ranked Florida, while the women will open up with third-ranked Georgia at Mickel Tennis Center on January 24th.