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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Netters Head Into Postseason Play Ranked No. 7
4/30/2002 | Men's Tennis
April 30, 2002
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss men's tennis team will head into postseason play ranked No. 7 as the final regular season Omni Hotels Collegiate Rankings were released this week. The Rebels, winners of the SEC Western Division, will find out Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CST, if they will be one of 16 host sites for the NCAA regionals, which take place May 10-12.
"This team is continuing the tradition of excellence that we have established here at the University," head coach Billy Chadwick said. "It's a tremendous feat to win a SEC title and finish the regular season ranked top 10 in the nation. This places us in a strong position to be considered as a host for the upcoming NCAA regionals, and the team's focus now is to do well in postseason play."
Ole Miss finished the regular season with a 17-5 overall record. The Rebels posted an 8-3 record in the SEC to finish second behind Georgia in the overall standings and claim the Western Division crown.
Georgia heads up the final regular season top 10 followed by UCLA, Illinois, Baylor, Tennessee, Stanford, Ole Miss, Pepperdine, Kentucky and California. The SEC leads the nation with nine teams ranked among the top 25 including four in the top 10. The Rebels don't have a loss outside the top 12 and have seven wins over top 25 opponents.
Individually, All-American Alex Hartman is ranked No. 23 in singles. A three-time All-SEC honoree, Hartman will qualify for the NCAA Singles Championships for the third time in his career.
Senior Kristofer Stahlberg ends the regular season ranked No. 59 in singles and No. 43 in doubles with fellow senior Martin Selin. Stahlberg earned All-SEC honors for the second time in his career this season and has a shot at making his second NCAA Individual Championships appearance. Rebel sophomore Paul Ciorascu is ranked No. 117 with a 25-15 record.
Freshman Catalin Gard cracked the rankings at No. 122 after an outstanding spring. Gard is currently 16-4 overall and has won six in a row, nine of his last 10. He clinched key wins over Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi State in the Rebels' run to the SEC West title.
The NCAA team and individual selections will be announced Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CST via a live internet webcast at www.ncaachampionships.com. The Rebels are hoping to be selected as a host site for one of the 16 regionals. They have hosted a regional twice in the last three years.
