SKILLMAN, N.J. – University of South Alabama junior Daniel Leitner is No. 50 in the 2013 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Preseason Men's Tennis Singles Rankings released Friday.

Leitner, a native of Niederfischbach, Germany, is the first Jaguar to earn a preseason ranking since Marek Sramek in 2008.

A First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection in 2013, Leitner posted a team-high 21 wins last season, with four victories against foes ranked in the top 60, including three in the top 45.

He began the season 3-0 vs. ranked opposition, topping No. 37 Rafael Aita of UNC Wilmington in straight sets before rallying to defeat No. 28 Romain Bogaerts of Mississippi State 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. His win over Bogaerts was the first by a USA player over an opponent in the top 30 since 2010.

Last fall, Leitner claimed two titles at the Big Easy Tennis Classic, winning the Flight 1 singles draw and the doubles title with Cody Hall.

The ITA also announced that Leitner has been placed in the qualifying pool for the All-American Championships, held Sept. 28-Oct. 6 in Tulsa, Okla. USA junior Manuel Belda (Posadas, Misiones, Argentina) will start in the prequalifying draw.

The Jaguars open their fall schedule Sept. 20 at the Georgia State Invitational.

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).

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