Marauders, Martinez-Lucas secure regional rankings
1/22/2020 2:23:00 PM | Men's Tennis
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - The Millersville men's tennis team is preparing to open its spring season with the highest regional ranking in the Matt Helsel era.
The Marauders earned a No. 7 Atlantic Region ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll announced on Jan. 15. Junior Carlos Martinez-Lucas was placed sixth in the individual ITA regional rankings.
The No. 7 regional ranking is the highest under Helsel, in the midst of his fourth season at Millersville. The Marauders were previously ranked No. 8 in a June 2019 poll and are the only PSAC team to make the 2020 cut.
"I'm super proud of the guys," Helsel said. "We were the fifth-worst team in the country three years ago and now we're ranked in the region, which is incredible. Guys are super excited and we're just happy to be on this list with other great teams. It's a big compliment to our program.
Martinez-Lucas' No. 6 ranking is the highest individual ranking for Millersville under Helsel. Martinez-Lucas, the reigning PSAC Player of the Year, was previously ranked No. 15 in a June 2019 poll.
"Carlos has already accomplished so much in such a short amount of time," Helsel said. "Having an individual regional ranking, which we haven't had in forever, is huge. He's the face of our program and he's really shown some of the other guys where we want to go and what we can do."
Martinez-Lucas has done nothing but impress since transferring in from South Dakota State following his freshman campaign. The junior won all four of his flight one singles matchups in the fall season. He also advanced to the A Draw quarterfinals in the ITA Atlantic Regional Tournament and won a match in October's PSAC Individual matchups.
Martinez-Lucas has also been at the forefront of a remarkable tennis turnaround at Millersville. The Marauders went a perfect 4-0 in the fall season on the heels of an eight-win 2018-19 season. Millersville's three PSAC wins were the most since the 2010-11 season.
The Marauders return to action on Feb. 29 at the University of the District of Columbia. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
The Marauders earned a No. 7 Atlantic Region ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll announced on Jan. 15. Junior Carlos Martinez-Lucas was placed sixth in the individual ITA regional rankings.
The No. 7 regional ranking is the highest under Helsel, in the midst of his fourth season at Millersville. The Marauders were previously ranked No. 8 in a June 2019 poll and are the only PSAC team to make the 2020 cut.
"I'm super proud of the guys," Helsel said. "We were the fifth-worst team in the country three years ago and now we're ranked in the region, which is incredible. Guys are super excited and we're just happy to be on this list with other great teams. It's a big compliment to our program.
Martinez-Lucas' No. 6 ranking is the highest individual ranking for Millersville under Helsel. Martinez-Lucas, the reigning PSAC Player of the Year, was previously ranked No. 15 in a June 2019 poll.
"Carlos has already accomplished so much in such a short amount of time," Helsel said. "Having an individual regional ranking, which we haven't had in forever, is huge. He's the face of our program and he's really shown some of the other guys where we want to go and what we can do."
Martinez-Lucas has done nothing but impress since transferring in from South Dakota State following his freshman campaign. The junior won all four of his flight one singles matchups in the fall season. He also advanced to the A Draw quarterfinals in the ITA Atlantic Regional Tournament and won a match in October's PSAC Individual matchups.
Martinez-Lucas has also been at the forefront of a remarkable tennis turnaround at Millersville. The Marauders went a perfect 4-0 in the fall season on the heels of an eight-win 2018-19 season. Millersville's three PSAC wins were the most since the 2010-11 season.
The Marauders return to action on Feb. 29 at the University of the District of Columbia. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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Matt Helsel
Thursday, August 24
Highlights: Men's and Women's Tennis vs. Walsh University
Thursday, October 17
