ATLANTA--The Georgia State women's tennis team tied a school record it set last season by earning a No. 38 ranking in the first ITA National Team computer rankings released for the 2013 spring season on Tuesday.

The Panthers jumped 20 spots from No. 58 in the country today. Georgia State owns a victory over No. 27-ranked Oklahoma State this season. GSU is 4-5 this season, but all five of its losses have come to teams ranked inside the Top 45 in the latest rankings including Georgia (#7), Florida State (#16), Auburn (#17), Illinois (#33) and Georgia Tech (#41).

Junior Abigail Tere-Apisah also improved to No. 22 in the ITA National Singles rankings. The native of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, is 3-1 against nationally-ranked singles opponents this spring with all three victories coming in straight sets. Combining her fall and spring records, she is 7-6 vs. nationally-ranked opponents.

Tere-Apisah and sophomore Masa Grgan remained in the ITA National Doubles rankings at No. 51 in the nation. The duo is 5-3 this season with two of its losses coming to Top 25-ranked doubles pairs.

The Panthers, led by sixth-year head coach Miha Lisac, return to the Blackburn Tennis Center with two matches this weekend. GSU first hosts local rival Kennesaw State on Friday at 2 p.m. Then the team hosts No. 67-ranked Tulane on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. GSU will host VolleyFest that day to raise funds for the Sport of Giving. Visit the women's tennis page later this week for a preview of both matches.

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