TEMPE, Ariz.--For the first time since 2006, the UH Hilo women's tennis team can call themselves a Top 25 team.

The Vulcans check in at No. 25 in the latest Oracle ITA NCAA Division II national poll, released today. Bolstered by their split of two matches with national power Hawai`i Pacific over Valentine's weekend, the 3-1 Vulcans are one of five west region teams ranked in the top 25. 

The last time a UH Hilo women's tennis team was ranked higher was in 2006, when they were listed at No. 12 at the end of the season. 

University of Indianapolis (7-0) is at the top of the March 11, 2021 list, folowed by Barry (2-0), Lynn (0-0), Nova Southeastern (2-0) and Central Oklahoma (6-1) to round out the top five. West region teams ranked include Hawaii Pacific (1-1) at No. 8, No. 11 Azusa Pacific (3-0), No. 18. Fresno Pacific (2-4), No. 22 Concordia (4-1) and No. 25 UH Hilo.

The Vulcans will take their 3-1 record to northern California next week for three matches in five days. They will open with Dominican on Monday, Academy of Art on Tuesday and wrap up with Fresno Pacific on Friday. 

Here is a capsule look at each of their Norcal opponents.

*Dominican: The Penguins are 1-5 heading into a match in Denver tomorrow (Friday) against Metro State. One of those losses was to Division I Santa Clara, but Domincan has also fallen to PacWest foes Biola, Fresno Pacific and Academy of Art. The Vulcans and Penguins met last year in Honolulu, the very last match of the 2020 year before COVID struck, with UH Hilo taking the 5-2 win.

*Academy of Art: The Urban Knights are 1-3, with their lone victory coming against Dominican. They have quality or close losses to Division I San Francisco, Biola (4-3) and Fresno Pacific (5-2). Sofia Ragona, a Third-Team All-PacWest selection in 2019, plays at the No.1 singles spot and is 2-2 this season.

*Fresno Pacific: The Sunbirds are 2-6, but that record is very deceiving because of whom they have lost to. Four of the setbacks have been to Division I schools--Fresno State twice, Pacific and Cal Poly SLO. The 'Birds have victories over Domican and Academy of Art, and close losses to Azusa Pacific (4-3) and Biola (5-2). Fresno Pacific was 10-0 last season until COVID ended the year. Mariia Borodii is back at No. 1 for the Sunbirds, she went 9-1 last year and was ranked No. 6 in the west region. The Vulcans and FPU were scheduled to play last year but the match was cancelled. In 2019, Fresno Pacific was the winner vs. UHH, 4-1.

After this NorCal trip, the Vulcans return home with a possible trip to Oahu in early April, followed by the Pacific West Conference Championships in Surprise, Arizona, April 21-14. 

For a complete look at the national list, click here.