Tuesday, March 25, 2008

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 25, 2008) - A week after making history having two nationally ranked players in singles the ETSU men's tennis has done it again. The Bucs who started the season at No. 49 have worked their way up the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll reaching No. 33, the highest ranking in program history.

The Bucs are 15-3 overall having defeated three nationally ranked opponents this season including No. 50 MTSU on February 10 and No. 48 Harvard on March 5. Their three losses have come against Top 25 opponents Tennessee, Georgia and Wake Forest. ETSU is currently on a 10-match winning streak with their latest victory over the 59th-ranked Stetson Hatters.

ETSU is led by junior Enrique Olivares (Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) and senior Lisandro Picardo (Mar del Plata, Argentina). Olivares who is ranked 67th is 18-5 overall while Picardo who just earned his first career national ranking is 22-3 overall and is undefeated in dual action going 14-0 this season. He is ranked 95th.

"It's quite amazing how far these boys have taken us. We just have a bunch of hardworking individuals who believe in themselves and believe in what ETSU is selling. They are just as proud of being a part of this program as I am. When we go through rough times and we screw up once or twice we're banding together as a family in good times and in bad times and that has helped us work through it. This is the sweet nectar of success and I am beyond speechless," said head coach Yaser Zaatini.

The Bucs will be back on the courts continuing their quest for their fifth straight regular season title as they take on A-Sun foe Jacksonville on March 28. The match against the Dolphins is set to begin at 10 a.m. For all ETSU men's tennis news visit www.ETSUBucs.com.