LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates women's tennis team enters the ITA Division III Women's Coaches Poll this week at No. 38, their first national ranking inside the top 40 since March of 2023. 

"I'm thrilled to see this group recognized by the ITA," head coach Deepak Sharma said. "Our national ranking is a testament to the strong core values driving this team. There's so much more we can achieve, and I'm pumped for the rest of the season!"

The Bobcats (4-8, 2-1 NESCAC) have particularly shined at home this season, going 4-2 to date and most recently beating then-No. 16 nationally Williams by a count of 4-3 on March 16 at Merrill Gym. It was their first win over Williams in program history, and their first over a team ranked inside the top 25 nationally since 2012. 

Bates welcomes No. 10 nationally ranked Middlebury to Merrill Gym this Sunday at 10 a.m. for another big NESCAC match.