WILMINGTON, N.C. – The UNC Wilmington women’s tennis team has joined the Seahawk men’s squad in the weekly Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings for the first time in the program’s history.

      Coach Jenny Garrity’s team, ranked No. 69 among NCAA Division I schools, begins play in the Colonial Athletic Association Tennis Championships early Friday in Norfolk, Va., with a quarterfinal matchup against Old Dominion. The Seahawks stand 19-2 overall and 5-2 in the CAA.

      “This is obviously a big day for our program,” said Garrity, who is completing her ninth season with the program. “I’m so excited for our players to be recognized in this way. The Top 75 list is something that every college team shoots for, and to be in the company of teams like Arizona, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Missouri just shows what strides this program has taken.

      “We have had tremendous leadership this year from Priscilla (Roberts) and Lauren (Isenhour). They have kept this team focused on reaching their goals. This was a big goal for our program. All 10 of our players this year have contributed, and we look forward to competing hard this weekend at the CAA Tournament.”

      The Seahawks are one of five CAA teams in the women’s poll. VCU (49), William & Mary (52), Old Dominion (55) and Georgia State (59) also made the rankings.

      In the men’s poll, the 16-5 Seahawks, the top seed in this week’s CAA tourney, are rated No. 75 after reaching No. 71 last week. VCU (45) and William & Mary (72) give the CAA three men’s clubs in the rankings.

      The UNCW men will play #9 Drexel in one of four CAA quarterfinal matches on Friday at 11:30 a.m.