Tigers Break Into ITA Central Region Rankings
On the strength of a 16-8 record and fourth-place finish in the NCAC Tournament, the Tigers moved into the May Central Region rankings at No. 20.
Springfield, Ohio – After finishing fourth in the challenging North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament in April, the Wittenberg men’s tennis team cracked the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Region rankings, checking in at No. 20.
The Central Region features some of the best programs in the nation, with the regional rankings at the end of the 2012-13 season headed by NCAC champion Kenyon and Washington University, home to 2013 NCAA Division III singles champion Adam Putterman. Wittenberg was one of four NCAC members to earn a spot in the May 2 regional rankings, joining No. 1 Kenyon, No. 7 DePauw and No. 11 Denison.
The Tigers compiled an impressive 16-8 overall record in 2012-13, with seven of the eight losses coming against teams ranked in the ITA Central Region. The only defeat outside of the Central Region came during Wittenberg’s annual Spring Break trip to Hilton Head, SC, when the Tigers dropped a 5-4 decision to Emory & Henry, which went on to finish 14-4 in 2012-13.
Wittenberg was led by second-team All-NCAC selection Ian Streicker (South Lebanon, Ohio/Loveland), who posted a 14-12 singles record in 2012-13 while playing exclusively in the No. 1 position. In doubles, Streicker saw action with numerous partners during the campaign to end up with a 15-7 record.
Streicker is one of 11 letterwinners expected to return in the fall, including five singles starters and five doubles starters. Head Coach Justin Stuckey, who has a five-year record of 74-43 in men’s competition, also expects the members of a strong recruiting class to further strengthen the line-up.
Written By: Ryan Maurer