Printer-Friendly Format   E-mail this article     Seniors Drew Bailey (pictured) and Maciek Sykut are ranked No. 47 in doulbes by the ITA.
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Seminoles have four ranked players led by sophomore Clint Bowles.

Jan. 6, 2009

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida State men's tennis team will begin the season ranked No. 11 as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced its spring preseason rankings on Tuesday, January 6.  The No. 11 ranking is tied for the highest preseason mark in Florida State tennis history attained in 2006.

"I think [No. 11] is a great place to start," FSU head coach Dwayne Hultquist said.  "I think we have an older team with a lot of experience and we're really excited about our team this year."

The Seminoles are the second highest ranked team in the ACC, trailing only No. 6 Virginia.  FSU will play host to three top 10 teams in 2009 led by No. 2 Texas, Virginia and rival No. 10 Florida.

The Garnet and Gold also landed three players in the ITA singles rankings led by sophomore Clint Bowles who will begin the year ranked No. 29.  Bowles earned an 8-4 record in the fall including victories against four ranked opponents.  One spot behind Bowles is junior Jean-Yves Aubone who is ranked 30^th.  Aubone only played three collegiate matches in the fall (2-1), but the All-American won a Futures tournament in Louisiana defeating several former collegiate greats in the process.  The Miami, Fla., native is also ranked No. 2 in the ITA Mideast Region rankings.  Senior Maciek Sykut improved upon his No.119 fall ranking earning the No. 80 position to begin the spring.  Sykut was also 8-4 in the fall with one victory over a ranked opponent.

"They had a really good fall season especially Clint at the All-American Championships," Hultquist said.  "We're pleased that it gives us a good start and we're ready to go and we realize that we've got a whole team of guys who could be ranked if given the opportunity."

In doubles, the Seminoles begin 2009 with two ranked teams.  Aubone and Bowles will start the season at No. 23 while Sykut and senior Drew Bailey enter the spring at No. 47.  Sykut and Bailey enjoyed an impressive fall with a 5-2 record.

"Drew and Maciek beat a couple of ranked teams and did a lot of good things," Hultquist said.  "To have two doubles teams ranked is nice to have."

Florida State will begin the spring season by sending several players to the Saddlebrook Invitational in Tampa, Fla., from January 9-11.  The Seminoles will take on players from No. 10 Florida and No. 15 Illinios.  For match results log onto www.seminoles.com.

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