Feb. 26, 2013

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Kansas women's tennis team climbed to No. 65 in today's ITA Women's Division I Team Rankings, giving the Jayhawks their first national ranking since January 2009. 

At the beginning of Amy Hall-Holt's fifth season as head coach, her team reached a No. 73 ranking before falling to Illinois, 7-0, on Feb. 6, 2009. It is Kansas' best ranking since rising to No. 55 on March 11, 2008. 

"Even today at practice, you could see it in atmosphere of the team," Hall-Holt said. "The girls staying focused, wanting to work hard and do well showed the positive direction we're going in. The hard work they're putting in is definitely paying off." 

Eight different Big 12 teams are currently ranked in the Top 75 nationally by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, including five in the top 30. Texas Tech has the league's best ranking at No. 19, while preseason conference favorite Texas is listed at No. 29.

Iowa State and West Virginia are the only unranked teams in the Big 12. In-state rival Kansas State is ranked No. 32 and former league foe Missouri is four spots below Kansas at No. 71.

Conference newcomer TCU--Mountain West Conference champions in three of the last four seasons--has the Big 12's second-best ranking at No. 20. For the complete rankings list, visit the ITA Women's Division I Team Rankings online page.

"It's definitely a competitive conference, as you can tell with all the schools in the rankings," Hall-Holt said. "Just being right up there has definitely given the girls motivation to compete and be more confident in their game."

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