National Oracle/ITA Division II Team and Individual Rankings FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University tennis team, recently ranked No. 7 in the nation according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, announced a few additions to the spring schedule, which begins in mid-January.
The Sharks are currently No. 7 out of a total 50 nationally-ranked teams in Division II. Their impressive ranking steams from outstanding performances in doubles and singles competitions. Senior and junior duo,
Irina Constantinide (Sr., Galati, Romania) and
Nastassia Rubel (Jr., Minsk, Belarus), are ranked ninth in doubles in the nation for the Sharks. Just one spot behind them is a pair of seniors, each of which were also ranked individually:
Petra Jurova (Bratislavia, Slovakia), 27th in singles as well, and
Sabrina Kierberg (Munich, Germany) also ranked nationally in 36th.
"After having a fantastic 2015 spring season, it's nice to see us ranked No. 7 in the nation going into the 2016 season,"
said head coach Stephen Schram. "Our schedule is loaded with the toughest teams in Division II and the strength of our schedule will give us every opportunity to beat the top six teams in the nation."
On Saturday, Jan. 16 at 11:30 a.m. the Sharks will begin outside competition with a scrimmage at Florida Atlantic, followed by another scrimmage at home on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. when they host ASA Junior College. The official 2016 spring opener will be at home against Armstrong State at the NSU Tennis Complex on Friday, Feb. 12, beginning at 10 a.m.
In addition to the two scrimmages, also added to the schedule recently has been a match with nationally-ranked West Florida, currently No. 6 in the same Oracle/ITA rankings. The Sharks will take on the Argonauts on Feb. 20 at 9 a.m., on the campus of Rollins College.
Other highlights of the spring schedule, previously announced, include the first Sunshine State Conference encounter for the Sharks, away at Eckerd on Saturday, March 26. Immediately after that, the women will host three consecutive SSC home matches, the first against county line rivals Barry on Wednesday, March 30 at 3 p.m.
In additional to the national recognition by Oracle/ITA, the Sharks team received many regional rankings, including a team showing of fifth in the South Region. Three Sharks were ranked among the top 20 South Region singles competitors: Jurova, 11th overall; Kierberg, 13th; and Constantinide, 20th. The Sharks also took the second and third spot in the region in doubles with the Constantinide/Rubel and Jurova/Kierberg duos.
Schram also shared his thoughts about his current squad by saying, "This is a hungry team led by six seniors and you can see the fire in their eyes everyday. I couldn't be more proud of their work ethic this fall and I have no doubt if they maintain their strong work ethic, the results will show this spring."
Click here to see the complete 2015-16 NSU tennis schedule.
