TEMPE, Ariz. – The University of South Alabama men's tennis team was slotted at No. 28 in the latest Oracle/ITA Division I Men's National Team Rankings released on Tuesday.  The ranking is the third-highest ever under 10th-year head coach Nick Brochu as his 2008 team opened the season ranked No. 26 and was No. 27 on Jan. 31st later that season.

"It's a great recognition for our program," said Brochu. "We have had many good teams in the past, but this group of guys is special. They push each other on and off the court. We don't have the feeling that we need to rely on one or two players. We have different guys clinching matches every time. They really trust each other. They play for each other. They focus on the process, not the prize.  Being ranked in the top-30 is a great recognition, but we still have half of the season left to play. We need to stay focus on our goals and not get ahead of ourselves. We will enjoy it for a little bit and go right back to work tomorrow.

The Jaguars were a perfect 3-0 last week, defeating Jacksonville State 4-0 and Jackson State 7-0 in a home doubleheader and No. 49 North Florida 4-3 on the road.  Rallying from a 3-1 deficit, the win snapped a six-match losing streak against the Ospreys, including five in the last five years.  

South Alabama has currently won nine-straight victories for its longest win streak since the 1995 team opened its season 9-0.  Included in the win streak is a 6-1 victory on Feb. 12th over No. 30 Georgia State, the only other Sun Belt Conference team ranked.

Tuki Jacobs is positioned at No. 85 in the singles' rankings, dropping from No. 50 in the previous rankings from two weeks ago.  Jacobs dropped just one set in three wins last week on the No. 1 court, including a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over No. 64 Jack Findel-Hawkins of North Florida.

South Alabama returns to action on Friday with a road match against Samford at 2:00 p.m.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).