During Easter weekend, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its latest batch of team rankings, with both Northwest teams remaining in the top 20 of the NJCAA national rankings.
In the men's rankings, the Rangers (10-4) remained at No. 18, while the Northwest women's team checked in at No. 20 overall. For the Lady Rangers, it's a slight drop from the program's previous record of 19th.
Eight MACCC programs are in the latest ITA JUCO men's rankings, led by Jones College at No. 13 and Mississippi Gulf Coast at 15th. Itawamba (17th), Copiah-Lincoln (19th), Meridian (20th), East Central (23rd) and Northeast (25th) round out conference schools in the national poll.
Tyler Junior College (Texas) is the No. 1 team, followed by Collin (Texas), Eastern Florida State, Cowley (Kan.) and Barton (Kan.) made up the latest top five.
Meanwhile, the Lady Rangers (10-6) were also one of eight MACCC women's programs in the latest national rankings. Jones College topped conference representation at No. 7, followed by Mississippi Gulf Coast at No. 11 and Meridian in 13th. Itawamba (15th), Copiah-Lincoln (16th), Hinds (23rd) and East Central (25th) rounded out MACCC teams in the national rankings.
Cowley (Kan.), Hillsborough (Fla.), Tyler Junior College (Texas), St. Petersburg (Fla.) and Eastern Florida State made up the top five.
Both Northwest tennis teams are in the midst of postseason competition. The Lady Rangers finished the NJCAA Region 23 Championships in fourth place and will await an expected at-large bid to the NJCAA Women's Tennis Championships, while the Ranger men will compete in the NJCAA Region 23 Championships next week.
