Jan. 20, 2011

CHICAGO- With the 2011 season underway, the UIC men's tennis team finds itself amongst the national rankings team according to College Tennis Online.

The recent issue, which was published on Jan. 4, has UIC coming in as the 63rd ranked team in the nation.

"Getting ranked nationally is a testament to the efforts of past and present players," said head coach Hans Neufeld. "It gives us a foundation to build on for the future."

This isn't the first time Neufeld is leading a team nationally ranked into the season, but the Flames are excited for the recognition and setting the bar high for this season.

Earning his 100th win last season against Southern Illinois, two-time Horizon League Coach of the Year, Neufeld will be entering his tenth season as the man in charge of the men's tennis program.

Neufeld enters into this season losing his top two players, but has seven returners, with an addition of six newcomers added to the roster; the Flames are coming off a 15-11 overall record in 2010, finishing conference play with a 5-2 mark that put them in second-place behind Cleveland State.

"We lost our top two players to graduation last year, but we brought in a strong freshman recruiting class," said Neufeld. "We also solidified our doubles team with transfer players. Our biggest focus this spring will to bring the chemistry together among each other."

"We are looking forward to starting off with a very competitive non-conference schedule," said Neufeld.