VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State men's tennis team begins its 2024 NCAA Division II title defense with a target on its back as it sits No. 1 nationally in the first Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Spring Poll, released Wednesday.  The Blazer women's team is among others receiving votes.
 
Please click here for the men's rankings and click here for the women's rankings.  
 
Flagler, who finished national runner-up last season to the Blazers, is second, followed by Saint Leo, Barry and Columbus State rounded out the top five.  West Florida sits sixth, followed by Rollins, Washburn, Wingate and Azusa Pacific checks in at tenth.  Embry-Riddle is 11^th, while Florida Southern is tied for 13^th and Mississippi College is 18^th.  Auburn Montgomery and Lee are among other teams receiving votes.  
 
On the women's side, Barry leads the poll, followed by Nova Southeastern, Lynn, Embry-Riddle and Midwestern State rounds out the top five.  North Georgia sits sixth, followed by Flagler, Wingate, Columbus State and Auburn Montgomery is tenth.  West Alabama sits 12^th, while Saint Leo is 15^th, followed by Mississippi College (19) and Tampa is 20^th.  Along with VSU, Florida Southern and West Florida also are receiving votes.
 
The Blazer men's and women's tennis teams open the 2025 spring season on Friday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at the VSU Tennis Complex versus Gulf South Conference rival Montevallo.