ITA West Region Rankings – April 22
 
SKILLMAN, N.J. — Thanks to a historic victory and finish at last week's Pacific West Conference Championship Tournament, the No. 11 Academy of Art University women's tennis team earned its best-ever West Region ranking Wednesday, as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

 
The Urban Knights (13-5) are ranked No. 2 in the April 22 ITA West Region Rankings, surpassing former regional No. 2 Hawaii Pacific. ART U upset the Sharks 5-3 during the PacWest Championship Tournament semifinals, earning their first-ever win over HPU and breaking a streak of all-Hawaii PacWest finals.
 
"The team worked extremely hard during the off-season and they continue to push themselves everyday to achieve their very best both on and off the court," said Academy of Art head coach Nicole Briceño-Garzón. "The results we have been able to achieve so far are a product of all the dedication these girls have put in to getting better each day. I am extremely proud of the entire team. They truly deserve it."
 
ART U's previous regional ranking best was No. 3, a spot it held since Feb. 18 this season. The Urban Knights also have three singles players and two doubles teams ranked among the region's best. Senior Nina Gajdosikova came in ranked No. 6 in singles. Lucia Zavarcikova is listed as No. 10 and junior Michelle Dandik Zaale is ranked No. 12.
 
The doubles team of Gajdosikova and junior Annika Schneider are the No. 4-ranked doubles team. Zavarcikova and senior Jenny Johansson team up to be ranked No. 8 in the region.
 
Academy of Art awaits the announcement of the participants in the 2015 NCAA Division II West Regional, which will come during the NCAA Selection Show at 5 p.m. PDT on April 28. Watch by clicking here!