DAYTON – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released the NCAA Division I Men's Collegiate National Rankings on Wednesday, Nov. 15, with fifth-year Connor Bruce earning the No. 81 spot and freshman Luis Saraiva slotting in at 113 at the conclusion of the fall campaign.
 
Bruce's No. 81 ranking is the highest ITA Preseason Ranking since Jordan Benjamin was ranked No. 77 in the 2018-19 ITA Preseason Ranking.
 
"I'm so proud of these guys," said head coach Ryan Meyer. "Before today we'd had three Flyers make the national rankings and to add two more is incredible. All the boys work so incredibly hard and trust the process and it is nice to see that recognized."
 
Bruce put together an outstanding fall for the Flyers, compiling an 11-2 overall record across four different tournaments. The highlight of the fall for the fifth-year was walking away as the singles champion of the Cleveland State Viking Invitational, going 5-0 on the way to the title.
 
The Pittsburgh, Pa. native went 1-1 at the ITA All-Americans in Tulsa, Okla., winning his first match in the main draw before falling in the second. Bruce also went 3-1 at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional, advancing to the Round of 16 before being sent home. The fifth-year went undefeated in a pair of matches at Dayton's James O'Connell Memorial Invitational.
 
"I'm excited to finally be recognized and ranked by the ITA," said Bruce. "We have only had a handful of guys achieve a national ranking, so to put my name on that list is something special to me. It really shows that hard work pays off for those who are patient and trust the process. To have Luis ranked as well is a testament to the mission we set for this season."
 
Saraiva, who went 5-2 in singles in his debut fall, comes in at No. 113 in the rankings. The Porto, Portugal native went 2-0 in his first collegiate competition at the James O'Connell Memorial Invitational and added two more wins when he advanced to the Round of 32 at the ITA Ohio Valley Regionals. Saraiva's 1-1 showing at the Viking Invitational wrapped his first semester as a Flyer.

"I want to thank the whole team for helping me get to this point," said Saraiva. "Let's keep working and stay hungry for more."
 
Bruce and Saraiva join the aforementioned Benjamin, current fifth-year Matt DeMarco (No. 103) and Zach Berry (No. 125) as Flyers to achieve ITA Preseason Ranking status.
 
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