TEMPE, Ariz. – For the first time since the beginning of the spring campaign, Averett University men's tennis punched its way back into the national rankings, where the Cougars rank 65th in Division III according to Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) rankings on Thursday.

Averett (5-5, 5-1 ODAC) slugged through its opening matches versus many ranked opponents, but have now found its stride come April. The Cougars sit 5-1 in conference play, with their only loss to Washington and Lee University, who sits at No. 45. 

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference features five teams within the top 75 nationally, led by 37th ranked Shenandoah University. The Generals are next at No. 45, followed by Averett, 66th-ranked Randolph College, and No. 69 Virginia Wesleyan University.

With fresh rankings out, the Cougars immediately have a road ranked conference showdown on Saturday, Apr. 4 versus the aforementioned WildCats of Randolph.