Lincoln, Neb.--The Nebraska women's tennis team is experiencing a historic week. NU jumped from No. 53 to No. 38 in the ITA national rankings released Tuesday, the highest ranking in school history. The previous high was No. 39 achieved in 2001. Seniors Gitte Ostermann and Katie Garcia also received school record rankings this week. Ostermann jumped one spot from No. 19 to No. 18 in No. 1 singles which is the highest singles ranking in school history, while in doubles, Garcia and Ostermann received a No. 23 ranking. Their doubles ranking is also the highest is school history.
Head Coach Scott Jacobson is proud of his teams' accomplishments.
"It builds confidence," Jacobson said. "We still must recognize that we are in the middle of the season. We must look to the future and not just settle for what we have done."
Ostermann achieved the highest ranking in school history, breaking her own record of No. 19. The Luneberg, Germany, native has posted a 16-3 record this season, including a win over No. 103 Meg Raccette from Iowa. In the fall, Ostermann won the ITA Central Regional Championship, and went 1-1 in the National Indoor Championships.
Garcia and Ostermann with a 7-0 record at the No. 1 doubles slot received a No. 23 national ranking. The two have teamed to defeat two ranked foes, No. 55 Meg Raccette and Hillary Mintz of Iowa, 8-3 and No. 28 Anna Lubinsky and Helga Vieira of Texas A&M, 8-3. Ostermann and Garcia have outscored their opponents 56-22. Last season, the duo received a No. 74 national ranking.
No. 38 Nebraska looks to extend its 60-match home non-conference winning streak this weekend when it faces Drake, Utah and Wichita State at the Woods Tennis Center.