Complete Feb. 3 ITA Rankings

DAVIS, Calif. -- For only the second time in the program's Division I history, the UC Davis men's tennis team has earned its highest-ever national ranking, entering the week ranked No. 72 in the country according to the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll released on Tuesday morning.

"We are really excited to get into the top 75," Head Coach Eric Steidlmayer said. "It is a reflection of all the effort the team has put in over the past two-and-a-half years. Our recent alumni and current players all put in the work to improve the program, and should be excited to see the Aggies rewarded for those efforts by appearing in the national rankings."

UC Davis is one of three schools debuting in this week's poll, joining Ivy Leaguers Penn (No. 51) and Brown (No. 68). It is the first appearance for the Aggies in the ITA's top 75 since they spent a week tied with four other schools (Brown, College of Charleston, Harvard, and San Diego) at No. 75 on Jan. 29, 2008, during the school's inaugural Division I season.

Running a gauntlet to start its spring season, UC Davis has faced three nationally ranked foes over its first six matches, posting a 4-2 overall record while taking on then-No. 30 Stanford, then-No. 15 California, and then-No. 52 Santa Clara. The Golden Bears have since risen to No. 13 in this week's poll, the Cardinal are No. 39, while the Broncos -- whom the Aggies upset by a 4-3 score last weekend -- come in at No. 65 this week.

Sophomore James Wade, named the Big West Conference Player of the Week on Jan. 21, and freshman Everett Maltby lead the team with 13 wins apiece, while sophomores Bryce McKelvie and Jesse Ross, who leads the team with four dual wins, are also in double figures with 12 and 10 victories overall, respectively.

The Aggies carry a three-match winning streak heading into a weekend doubleheader at the Marya Welch Tennis Center, taking on Sonoma State and No. 70 Nevada on Sunday (Feb. 8) beginning at 9:30 a.m.

It's only the second home appearance for UC Davis this season following a 5-2 win over Pacific back on Jan. 17. The Aggies were 11-3 in home contests during the 2014 campaign.