UCF Wraps Up 2021 at #11 in Team Rankings

ORLANDO, Fla. – After earning their second consecutive conference title and Sweet 16 berth, the UCF women's tennis team checked in at No. 11 in the final release of the Oracle/ITA team rankings.

The 2021 season was one to remember, as the team collected a 20-5 record with some impressive victories, triumphing over eight ranked opponents. The Knights cruised to their second straight American Athletic Conference crown, beating South Florida, Houston and then-No. 46 Tulsa to punch their automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Black and Gold swept Charleston Southern in the first round of the tournament before taking down Miami to advance to the team's second consecutive Sweet 16, the only two third round appearances in program history.

The computerized rankings had UCF has the second-highest ranked program in the state, sitting just four spots behind No. 7 FSU. The Black and Gold beat the Seminoles in April for the second time in their last three tries, both in Tallahassee. Behind UCF sits Florida at No. 19 and Miami at No. 20. The Knights went 10-0 throughout their campaign against Florida foes, beating the Gators and Hurricanes and Bulls twice, as well as topping FSU, North Florida, Stetson and FAU.

The Knights finished the season as the highest ranked program in the conference yet again. The next closest program was SMU at No. 45, followed by Tulsa at No. 48 and Houston at No. 75.

The Black and Gold climbed to their highest ranking in team history, soaring as high as No. 8 after triumphing over No. 4 FSU in mid-April. UCF rode that victory all the way to their first national seed, entering the NCAA Tournament as the No. 9 overall team. The record ranking of No. 8 broke the previous best of No. 12 which was achieved early in the team's 2020 campaign.

This is the third straight season that the Knights have been ranked as a top 20 team in the final release of the Oracle/ITA team poll. They finished 2019 at No. 19 before checking in at No. 20 in the shortened 2020 season. UCF was tabbed as the nation's No. 18 team heading into the 2021 season and wind up finishing the year at No. 11.

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