Jan. 9, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Junior women's tennis player Laura Gioia has earned a 75th place national ranking according to the latest ITA poll released yesterday.

The junior from Tampa, Fla. was previously ranked 82nd in the September ITA poll, and has moved up in the rankings following a strong fall season, which included participation in the ITA All-American Championship. She is also ranked 11th in the Southeast region.

The women's tennis team will kick off the 2008 season with a stretch of home matches against several strong opponents, including Virginia Tech (#60) and Clemson (#10) before traveling to face South Carolina (#30), Pepperdine (#18), UC-Northridge (#69), and Vanderbilt (#16).

The team's tough non-conference schedule will prepare them to battle for their 16th Southern Conference crown and to break into the ITA team rankings during the 2008 season.

The team begins play January 25 with a match against Georgia State set for 5:00 p.m.