PISCATAWAY, N.J.  – Rutgers women's tennis earned a top 10 in the final regional rankings for 2018-19, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced.
 
The Scarlet Knights sit at No. 10 in the Northeast region, marking the first time RU has appeared in the rankings since 2013-14. Additionally, junior Kat Muzik and freshman Tess Fisher were ranked No. 7 in the regional doubles rankings.
 
"Our team made some great progress this year. Even despite a lot of adversity throughout the spring, they fought hard and continued to work," said third-year Head Coach Hilary Ritchie. "I am excited about where the team is going. We have everyone returning and know that Sydney Jones will be a terrific addition in the fall.  There is still more to improve upon, but everyone is up for the challenge."
 
Rutgers closed the year with its highest overall win total (9) since joining the Big Ten conference. The Scarlet Knights picked up Big Ten wins over Penn State in nonconference play and Nebraska in league action this season. Additionally, RU's schedule included four ranked matchups, three of which were Big Ten foes.
 
At the ITA Northeast Regional in the fall, Muzik and Fisher advanced to the semifinals of the doubles draw as the only unseeded team to reach the round. The pair was the Scarlet Knights' first duo to advance to the semifinals since 2014. Overall, Rutgers saw five Scarlet Knights advance to the round of 16, including one in singles and two pairs in the doubles draw, the most for RU in recent years.
 
Muzik and Fisher picked up a total of 16 doubles wins, including nine in the fall, seven in the spring and one in conference. The pair is the first duo to receive a regional rank since Gina Li and Mariam Zein in 2014-15.
 
It marks the fourth time Rutgers has received a regional ranking since Ritchie has been with the program. The Scarlet Knights jumped into the regional ranks at No. 8 in Ritchie's first year as an assistant coach with the team.
 
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