KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Kutztown University men's tennis moved into the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II National Team Rankings at No. 46, the organization announced Wednesday.

The Golden Bears are off to a 7-0 start this year and victories over Jefferson and Chestnut Hill back in the fall likely weighed heavily into the ITA's computerized rankings that aim to reflect team and player performance occurring solely within sanctioned college tennis dual matches. Jefferson and Chestnut Hill were both ranked within the East Region at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

It is the first time the program has been nationally ranked as a team since 2009-10, when Kutztown opened the season 45th in the ITA Division II Preseason Poll. The program has a long history of success that includes 15 NCAA Division II Championship tournament appearances and 11 PSAC Tournament titles. The Golden Bears reached a high point of 17th in the ITA rankings during the 2001-02 season before achieving the best final season ranking in team history of 19th.

Kutztown is scheduled to face a tough Mountain East opponent in Fairmont State this Saturday, March 8, at the Alumni Courts. The Bears won't open their PSAC slate until March 30, when they travel to four-time defending champion Edinboro.