University of North Carolina Athletics
Fifth-year senior Benjamin Sigouin
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Men's Tennis Opens 2022 Ranked No. 14
January 5, 2022 | Men's Tennis
CHAPEL HILL—The University of North Carolina men's tennis team will open the 2022 season ranked No. 14 in the nation, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced on Wednesday with the release of its preseason coaches poll.
The ITA Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the ITA National Ranking Committee. The National Ranking Committee is made up of the 12 ITA Region Chairs, with each chair casting an individual, secret ballot.
Defending NCAA champion Florida was the unanimous pick atop the rankings, followed by No. 2 Baylor, No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Tennessee and No. 5 TCU in the top five. Ohio State (No. 6), Virginia (No. 7), Georgia (No. 8), USC (No. 9) and Wake Forest (No. 10) round out the top 10.
The Tar Heels return several key players from last year's squad that finished the season ranked sixth nationally and reached the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, including seniors Benjamin Sigouin, Brian Cernoch and Mac Kiger, junior Rinky Hijikata and sophomore Logan Zapp, among others. Carolina won the 2021 ITA Indoor Team national championship.
Head coach Sam Paul also returns for his 29th season at the helm of the Tar Heel program. He enters the season with a career record of 523-213, and he has more wins than any active ACC coach.
The ITA Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the ITA National Ranking Committee. The National Ranking Committee is made up of the 12 ITA Region Chairs, with each chair casting an individual, secret ballot.
Defending NCAA champion Florida was the unanimous pick atop the rankings, followed by No. 2 Baylor, No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Tennessee and No. 5 TCU in the top five. Ohio State (No. 6), Virginia (No. 7), Georgia (No. 8), USC (No. 9) and Wake Forest (No. 10) round out the top 10.
The Tar Heels return several key players from last year's squad that finished the season ranked sixth nationally and reached the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, including seniors Benjamin Sigouin, Brian Cernoch and Mac Kiger, junior Rinky Hijikata and sophomore Logan Zapp, among others. Carolina won the 2021 ITA Indoor Team national championship.
Head coach Sam Paul also returns for his 29th season at the helm of the Tar Heel program. He enters the season with a career record of 523-213, and he has more wins than any active ACC coach.
The Tar Heels will open 2022 ranked No. 14 in the @ITA_Tennis preseason poll, released today:https://t.co/NFC99SN4SO#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/D8NONbeZkD
— UNC Men's Tennis 🐏🎾 (@carolinatennis) January 5, 2022
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