UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; June 8, 2007 - The Penn State men's tennis team heads into the summer months ranked 43rd in the final ITA National Team Rankings and second in the ITA Northeast Region, capping off a season that saw the Nittany Lions earn a berth into the NCAA Championships for the fourth time in program history, post a program-best 6-4 record in the Big Ten, garner a program-high national ranking of 34th in April and notch four wins against opponents ranked in the top 65 nationally, including two wins against teams in the top 30.

In Todd Doebler's first season as head coach, the Nittany Lions finished 16-7 after dropping a 4-1 decision to 20th-ranked and defending national champion Pepperdine in the first round of the NCAA Championships in Los Angeles. Finishing 43rd in the rankings, which ties a program-best finish, allows Doebler and the rest of the Nittany Lions to head into the fall with satisfaction and motivation for the future.

"Now that the year is finished, I am really proud of all we achieved as a program, considering our top two players graduated," said head coach Todd Doebler. "All of these rankings and results were a product of hard work by coach Holman and the guys. With the majority of the team returning and a talented recruiting class coming in, we will be looking forward to maybe an even better year when we get started in the fall."

In addition to the team's success in 2007, junior Michael James (Clifton, Va.) evolved into a standout for the Nittany Lions. James went 27-8 overall, 16-6 in duals, 6-4 in the Big Ten and 4-3 against ranked opponents in his third season as a Nittany Lion. The stellar numbers garnered James the No. 59 ranking in the final ITA National Singles Poll and the No. 2 slot in the ITA Northeast Region. He was also recently named ITA Northeast Player to Watch. James, who garnered Big Ten Athlete of the Week honors twice, scored two of his four ranked wins against players ranked in the ITA Top 30. He concluded his junior season with a convincing 7-5, 6-3 victory over Pepperdine's Andre Begemman, who was ranked 16th.

"It is very exciting to see how Michael finished up the year in the rankings, and I still think he can take steps forward," said Doebler. "Michael should be proud of winning the ITA Player to Watch. The rankings and that award are a great indicator for the jump he made."

James was not the only Lion to finish the season ranked in the ITA Northeast Region. Senior Ryan Berger (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and sophomores Adam Slagter (Austin, Texas) and Brendan Lynch (North Potomac, Md.) also found their way into the regional rankings. Berger concluded his senior season ranked 19th in the region after going 13-8 in duals. Slagter chalked up a 13-7 mark in duals and a 6-4 record in the Big Ten, which garnered him the No. 22 ranking. After a strong fall and a consistent spring, Lynch finished the season ranked 29th in the region. James and Berger finished the year ranked No. 2 in doubles in the Northeast Region.

The Nittany Lion tennis team also finished the season with a stout year in the classroom. In all, seven Lions were named to the Academic All-Big Ten list, which was most among all 11 schools in the conference. By carrying a 3.0 GPA or better, Berger, junior James Dwyer (Peachtree City, Ga.), senior Bradley Hunter (Atlanta, Ga.), James, Lynch, junior Chris Sherman (Edina, Minn.) and Slagter all represented the Nittany Lions on the list.

The Nittany Lions will be back in action during the fall with the Penn State Fall Classic slated for September.