Tusculum women’s tennis listed 46th in ITA rankings

Tusculum College has moved up one spot and is ranked 46th in the nation according to the Oracle/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women’s Rankings.

The Pioneers wrapped up a successful fall campaign with a perfect 3-0 record with three 9-0 shutouts over Virginia-Wise, King and Mars Hill (non-conference).

Of the nation’s top-50 teams, four South Atlantic Conference members are listed including No. 35 Wingate, No. 41 Queens University of Charlotte, No. 46 Tusculum and No. 48 Anderson. Future Tusculum opponents are also nationally ranked including No. 19 Northwood and No. 38 Indiana (Pa.).

Armstrong State is the top-ranked team in the country, followed by BYU-Hawaii, Saint Leo, Barry, Lynn, West Florida, Nova Southeastern, Columbus State, Hawaii Pacific and Southwest Baptist to comprise the top-10.

The Pioneers are ranked eighth in the latest ITA Southeast Region Poll. Armstrong State is first followed by Columbus State, Georgia College, Flagler, Wingate, Augusta, Queens, Tusculum, Anderson and Newberry.

The latest ITA individual rankings are out and Tusculum senior Kealee Heffner is listed as the No. 20 singles player in the Southeast Region. Heffner, a native of Cumming, Georgia, is 1-0 in singles play and 2-0 in doubles competition. Last season, she played at the No. 1 flight and posted a 13-5 singles record while earning All-South Atlantic Conference first team recognition. During her Tusculum career, she has an impressive 36-6 singles record.

Tusculum returns to action Feb. 20 when the travel to Milligan College for a 1 p.m. match against the Buffaloes.