Bulls debut at 22nd in ITA poll

Sophomore Roberto Cid ranks No.19 in the nation. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE PHOTO/GOUSFBULLS.COM

After going 19-7 and winning the AAC last season, the USF men’s tennis team ranked 22nd in the first Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll of the 2015 season, which was released Tuesday.

USF finished the 2014 season ranked 23rd after advancing to the second round of the NCAA Championships. The Bulls will begin the season on Jan. 16, when they host Stetson. 

Sophomore Roberto Cid and junior Sasha Gozun made a huge leap in the ITA doubles rankings this season. They are ranked sixth in doubles after winning the Bedford Cup and ITA Southeast title last season. The duo finished the 2014 season ranked 38th.

Cid was the only Bull to be ranked in singles, beginning the year at 19th in the nation. The sophomore began last season unranked, but quickly garnered national attention. A month into the 2014 season, Cid was ranked 64th.

He continued to rise in the ITA rankings throughout the season, finishing at 32nd. Cid finished the year by making it to the NCAA quarterfinals and was named an ITA All-American — the first Bull to ever earn the title.