George Washington University Athletics
Dias, GW Men's Tennis Earn ITA National Rankings
1/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
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Jan. 6, 2015
WASHINGTON - Looking to defend its Atlantic 10 title, the George Washington men's tennis team will debut in the 2015 spring season with a No. 54 national ranking, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Announced. Additionally, senior Francisco Dias starts the New Year as the No. 109 singles player in the nation.
Along with earning a spot in the ITA's top 125, Dias is also tabbed the No. 8 singles player in the Atlantic Region, with sophomore Julius Tverijonas opening the season as the region's No. 19 ranked singles player. The duo of Dias and Tverijonas stand as the No. 10 ranked doubles pair in the region to begin the spring.
"We use rankings to build on," said Head Coach Greg Munoz. "Our goal is to break the top 40 this year and advance to the NCAA Tournament. We have a great schedule and I am excited to see what we can accomplish."
The Colonials finished the 2014 season ranked a program-best No. 53, the second consecutive year closing out the season as a ranked program, improving on 2013's No. 73 mark. The Buff and Blue claimed its third A-10 title in four years while reaching the A-10 championship match for the fifth-straight season.
Nine-year Head Coach Munoz earned A-10 Coach of the Year honors after leading his Colonials to their third NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014. Dias was bestowed his second career A-10 Men's Tennis Most Outstanding Player Performer honor, and he was joined by teammates Tverijonas and junior Danil Zelenkov on the All-Conference First Team.
Dias wrapped the fall season with an 8-4 singles record, highlighted by an upset of Texas A&M's No. 46 Jeremy Efferding at the ITA All-American Championship. Dias also advanced to the final round of qualifying singles play at the ITA All-American Championships and the USTA/ITA Atlantic Region Championship singles semifinal during the fall.
GW opens its spring slate on Friday, Jan. 23 at the ITA Kickoff in Charlottesville, Va, with nine of the Colonials' 2015 opponents opening the season with a national ranking.
