The Intercollegiate Tennis Association released their first rankings of 2010 yesterday, and both Virginia squads were well represented. The women earned a No. 26, but it was the men who stole the spotlight, earning a No. 2 spot, three top 20 singles players, and two top 20 doubles duos.
On the women's side, So. Lindsey Hardenbergh comes in as the highest ranked Cavalier, and No. 72. Hardenbergh had posted a 23-15 singles record and an 18-8 doubles record to finish out the 2008-09 season. She had also won the USTA Futures Circuit event in October in St. Louis last season.
The women had advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champions Duke. The Cavaliers concluded the season with an overall record of 14-10 and reached the national tournament for the 10th time in program history.
On the men's side, Jr. Michael Shabaz leads the team and the ACC, individually ranked third in the country. Shabaz finished last season with a 18-7 singles record, and a 24-6 doubles record. He was also named to the first team VaSID All-State.
Sanam Singh came in ranked No. 12, after making All-ACC, first team VaSID All-State, and Academic All-ACC. Freshman Jarmere Jenkins starts his career ranked No. 16, Lee Singer comes in No. 28, Drew Courtney No. 31, Houston Barrick No. 58, and Steven Rooda rounds out the top 100 for UVa at No. 80.
In doubles, Singh and Barrick come in ranked No. 5. Singh is currently competing with former Cavalier turned professional Somdev Devvarman, as they just upset the No. 4 seed at the Aircel Chennai Open in India. Singer and Courtney pair up for No. 17, and Barrick and Shabaz come in at 25. Shabaz, with former Wahoo Dominic Inglot, is the current NCAA doubles champion.
This monster individual men's lineup gives the Virginia men's team an overall No. 2 ranking nationally, with five first-place votes. The men finished last season 32-1 overall, for the second season in a row. They had fallen to eventual champion USC, who is ranked first this year.
The women open up play on January 24 at home against No. 33 Illinois. The men start at home against No. 75 William & Mary on January 18.