KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association released its updated rankings on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and have the Western Michigan men's tennis team at No. 31, its highest ranking in the history of the program. Senior Maik Steiner also was tabbed at No. 88 in the singles rankings.

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Prior to the new ranking, the highest ranking a Bronco men's tennis team ever reached was No. 37 back in the spring of 2006 as the team finished 25-5 overall and claimed the Mid-American Conference tournament with a 4-2 victory over Ball State.

"The players and our staff have been working hard all year and it's exciting to see that pay off with our best ever national team ranking," commented WMU head coach Dave Morin. "We know we still have a lot of challenges ahead of us and many areas to improve upon."

The Brown & Gold are off to an unbelievable spring season with an 8-2 overall record and an undefeated record of 5-0 inside West Hills. Western Michigan holds a 2-1 record against Big Ten opponents with wins at Iowa and Michigan State while the lone loss came to the hands of No. 13-ranked Michigan in Ann Arbor last time out. Prior to the loss at Michigan, the Broncos were on a five-game winning streak dating back to Jan. 21.

No. 88-ranked Steiner has had an incredible senior season for the Broncos, leading the team in wins at 19-6 overall. His highest ranking occurred in the fall at No. 65 after he became the first Bronco to reach the ITA Midwest Regional semifinals under head coach Morin. Steiner has been the No. 1 player all spring for WMU with a 6-2 record and is riding a four-match win streak. He also was recently tabbed Mid-American Conference Singles Player of the Week last week.

Sophomore Jannik Opitz is second on the team in wins, boasting an overall record of 17-7 and 6-2 in dual match play including a perfect 4-0 at No. 3. Junior Matej Svjetlicic just saw his nine-match winning streak snapped at No. 13 Michigan but holds a 16-6 overall record and a 9-1 record in the spring.

In doubles, the duo of Eric Olivarez and Nick Schnobel lead the team in wins with a 10-4 overall record and are 4-1 at No. 2 this spring. Billy Heckman and Kennosuke Nouchi follow behind with a 7-5 overall and 3-2 at No. 3 in dual match play.

The Broncos have a busy three-match weekend ahead, travelling to Valparaiso on Friday, Feb. 23 before hosting a doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 25 against Dayton and Ferris State. First serves for Sunday inside West Hills are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Admission to all home tennis matches is free.