HIGHLANDERS NAMED MOST IMPROVED DIVISION ONE PROGRAM

RADFORD, Va. – Radford was named the most improved NCAA Division I men's tennis program on Friday by University Sports Program according to Massey Ratings. Massey Ratings is a computer ranking created by Ken Massey.

The Highlanders finished their 2019 season 17-7 under first-year head coach Rob Bareford, winning the Big South and earning an NCAA tournament berth where they went to play the 14th-ranked team in the nation, Tennessee. Radford finished the year ranked 126th in the Massey Ratings, which was an 80-spot improvement.

The team won five more conference matches than in 2018 and won seven more matches overall. New freshman addition Andres Silva went 12-3 at #6 while Yevhen Sirous, who transferred from Detroit-Mercy, played well at the #1, marking a double-digit win count.

Returning players for the 2018 campaign Alexandros Caldwell (15-4 record at #3) and Michiel Meekers (14-4 record at #4) also brought great success for the Highlanders, with Rodrigo Magalhaes bolstering the team at #2 with seven wins.

Radford increased its doubles record by 10 wins compared to 2018, while through singles play the team also increased their total singles-victories by nine. The Highlanders 17 wins over the season against teams such as Duquesne, Lehigh, Davidson, Marist and more was the most wins for the program since the 2012 season.

"This just shows how far this program came in such a short period of time," Bareford commented. "It's also an acknowledgement of the work these guys put in to get there."

The Highlanders are looking to build off their big turn-around year with the spring season quickly approaching after a strong start in fall tournament play.

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Players Mentioned

Alexandros Caldwell: 6' 1"; Senior

Michiel Meekers: 6' 5"; Redshirt Senior

Rodrigo Magalhaes: 5' 10"; Senior

Andres Silva: Sophomore

Yevhen Sirous: Junior

Players Mentioned

Alexandros Caldwell
: 6' 1"; Senior

Michiel Meekers
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Senior

Rodrigo Magalhaes
: 5' 10"; Senior

Andres Silva
: Sophomore

Yevhen Sirous
: Junior