SEARCY – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its year-end rankings for NCAA Division II this week. Harding University’s men’s tennis team concluded the season ranked 42nd nationally, marking its fifth consecutive season in the top 50 and its highest ranking since finishing 34th in 2021.

The ITA ranked Harding, which had a 15-9 overall record, No. 3 in the Central Region, its highest-ever finish in the region. The team won three of its nine matches against nationally ranked opponents and went 10-7 against Central Region opponents.

In singles play, senior Teodor Zlatar was ranked 42nd nationally and sixth regionally. Junior Cas de Ruiter was ranked 60th nationally and 13th in the Central Region. Zlatar had a 15-6 singles record and earned a national ranking for the second consecutive season, finishing No. 26 last season. De Ruiter had a 14-9 singles record and earned his first national singles ranking.

In doubles, de Ruiter and Zlatar finished No. 3 nationally and first in the Central Region. The duo had a 12-4 record and won five of their seven matches at No. 1 doubles. The No. 3 national ranking is the highest ever for a Harding doubles team.