LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Southern College men's tennis team has moved up to No. 8 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II Poll, announced on Wednesday afternoon. The No. 8 ranking matches the 2024 season as one of the highest regular-season poll rankings in recent history.
 
The Moccasins are currently 11-4 overall and went 4-1 last week in a successful five matches. The Mocs entered the midweek games ranked No. 9, taking down No. 29 Grand Valley State University 5-1, shutting out Jefferson 7-0, and winning 5- 0 over Tuskegee. Against No. 4 Wayne State, the Mocs had an incredible outing, winning 4-0, before a narrow 4-3 loss to No. 2 West Florida.
 
Previously No. 16 among DII singles, Mario Garoz moved up to No. 8 after an undefeated week at the No. 1 court. Garoz broke the program record for singles wins in a career, eclipsing 68 wins, and currently sits at 70 wins in his four-year career. He beat No. 5 Sebastian Rondon in three sets to get his big boost in the rankings. Mario Antonio Morales also ranks in the top 75 players as the No. 49 singles player. Antonio Morales had a six-match winning streak in the second half of the lineup, currently with an 8-3 overall record.
 
Among doubles, George Russell and Onur Turgut are ranked No. 19. The doubles pairing competes at the No. 1 court and had a seven-match win streak, including wins over a No. 8 GVSU pairing and a No. 11 WSU pairing. Their only loss was to No. 2 from UWF.
 
The Mocs will take on NCAA DI Rider University this afternoon at 3 p.m., with a neutral-site matchup against Emporia State University on Friday, March 20, at the USTA Campus in Orlando.