George Washington University Athletics
Dias, Tverijonas of GW Men's Tennis Earn ITA Preseason National Rankings
9/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
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ITA Division I Preseason Singles Rankings | ITA Division I Preseason Doubles Rankings
WASHINGTON - George Washington men's tennis' doubles team of senior Francisco Dias and sophomore Julius Tverijonas has been ranked No. 34 in the nation in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Division I Preseason Ranking, the governing body announced on Monday. Additionally, Dias has been tabbed the No. 91 singles player on the preseason list.
"Francisco and Julius are a great fit as they complement each other's games and I believe they are going to go very far this season," said Head Coach Greg Munoz. "Francisco is one of the most powerful tennis players in the NCAA. This is his senior year and I look to him to not only make his mark in GW history, but also in the national rankings."
Dias and Tverijonas wrapped the 2014 season as the No. 78 doubles team in the country after helping the Colonials - who finished last year with a No. 53 national ranking - to their third Atlantic 10 Championship in four years and the team's third ever trip to the NCAA Championship. They combined for an overall record of 12-8 throughout the spring while competing as the Buff and Blue's top doubles duo.
A two-time A-10 Most Outstanding Performer (2012 and 2014) and three-time All-Conference First Team honoree, Dias closed last season as GW's No. 1 singles player with an overall record of 17-11 and a dual-match mark of 11-8. He upset four nationally ranked competitors throughout his junior campaign and finished the year as the No. 13 singles player in the ITA Atlantic Region.
Along with Dias and Tverijonas, GW returns junior Danil Zelenkov while welcoming six newcomers to the lineup. The Colonials open the fall 2014 season at two separate tournaments - the Georgetown Classic in Washington, D.C., and the UVA Ranked +1 Invitational in Charlottesville, Virginia, which both run from Friday, Sept. 19 - Sunday, Sept. 21.
