University of Houston Athletics
Houston Reaches Highest Ranking in School History
2/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Feb. 25, 2014
HOUSTON--- After claiming back-to-back ranked road victories last weekend, the Cougars were the biggest movers in this week's rankings, as Houston moved up 34 spots to No. 30 in the country, according to the latest ITA tennis poll released on Tuesday.
The No. 30 placing is by far the highest since the computer rankings were instituted in 2001, as the program was ranked as high as 62nd back on Feb. 20, 2002. The Cougars are also the highest ranked team in The American, with Memphis coming in this week at No. 43 and USF being placed at No. 65. In addition, Tuesday marks the first time Houston has ever been the highest ranked team within its conference at any point in any season.
"We're off to a good start, but it's a long season and the only ranking that matters is the final one in May," said assistant coach Stephanie Wooten. "Right now we're not worried about any sort of ranking, we're just focused on beating Texas on Friday."
The Cougars (7-1) are off to their best eight-match start since the 2009 campaign, where they eventually began the year 11-1. Houston has defeated three ranked opponents so far this season, which is already the most since the Cougars also earned three ranked victories back in 2004.
Houston had one of the best weeks in program history last week, as they traveled up to the Pacific Northwest and notched back-to-back ranked victories at then No. 59 Washington State (5-2) and at No. 40 Washington (4-3), which marked the two highest ranked opponents UH had defeated in consecutive matches in school history.
The Cougars will have a chance to bolster their ranking even more when they head to Austin to take on No. 26 Texas, Friday at 2:00 p.m. CT, before returning home to play No. 17 Tulsa, Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT, in what will be the highest ranked team Houston has taken on since 2012.
