Men's Tennis earns No. 22 preseason ranking
AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas men's tennis squad will open the 2006 dual-match season with its highest preseason ranking since 2004, as the Longhorns garnered a No. 22 national ranking Tuesday from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). After ending the 2005 regular season at No. 28, Texas will begin the 2006 campaign with its highest team ranking since March 15, 2005, when the Longhorns held the No. 12 spot in the ITA rankings. Texas' No. 22 preseason ranking is its highest since 2004, when UT earned a No. 13 team rank. "I think people feel we can be a better team with the pieces we have in place here," said UT coach Michael Center. "But, it's so early, and we have so much to prove, so the ranking does not mean that much just yet." Senior Roger Gubser (Laredo, Texas) fared well in the individual rankings, collecting a career-high No. 34 singles mark, surpassing his previous career-high singles ranking of No. 41 set last fall. "Roger worked really hard over the fall and established himself as an All-America candidate," Center said. "He has prepared himself to play well this year and be a great leader on this team." Sophomore All-American Travis Helgeson (Overland Park, Kan.) garnered a No. 44 singles ranking and teamed with freshman Michael Venus (Orlando, Fla.) for a No. 34 doubles ranking. Texas resumes competition this weekend at the Miami Quad tournament at the University of Miami before kicking off the regular season on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Minnesota.
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