BATON ROUGE — The LSU men’s tennis team earned a No. 18 billing in the final national rankings for the 2008 season, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced Friday.
The Tigers posted a 15-9 record including a 6-5 mark in conference play this season. LSU’s season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after falling to 15th-ranked Illinois, 4-2.
The top-20 ranking marks the eighth time LSU has finished the season ranked in the top-20 during head coach Jeff Brown‘s 11 years of leading the Tigers.
All 12 Southeastern Conference teams earned top-60 rankings, including four in the top ten. Georgia finished on top after winning its second-straight national title. SEC East Champion Ole Miss finished eighth. Tennessee and Florida finished ninth and tenth, respectfully. After Florida was Alabama (No. 24), Vanderbilt (No.26), Auburn (No. 31), Kentucky (No. 40), Arkansas (No. 50), South Carolina (No. 55) and Mississippi State (No. 58).
The Tigers will return four starters next year. Leading the way is first-team All-SEC selection Michael Venus. The senior-to-be, who is currently ranked No. 26 in singles, reached the NCAA Singles Tournament and compiled eight wins over ranked opponents this season.
Venus’ doubles partner, senior-to-be James Cluskey, will also be returning to the Tigers. Cluskey and Venus reached the NCAA Doubles Tournament and are currently ranked No. 16. The Tiger tandem posted an impressive 16-6 record this season.
Starters Sebastian Carlsson and Julien Gauthier will be entering their sophomore season next year. Carlsson compiled a team-best 27 wins last season. The 27 wins is the most by a freshman during Brown’s tenure.
Gauthier proved to be a solid asset for the Tigers in the postseason as he garnered singles wins against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament and Drake in the NCAA first round.
Men's Tennis Opens Season at Kick-Off Weekend