NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Christopher Newport's men tennis team climbed three spots to No. 9 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's latest NCAA Division III South Atlantic Region rankings, released March 16.

The Captains took three of the 25 singles positions, with sophomore Eric Shulman of Glen Allen at No. 5, freshman Garrett Widing of Fairfax at No. 13 and sophomore Gian Heyer of Lugano, Switzerland, at No. 17. Shulman climbed one position since the preseason rankings. Widing and Heyer, each in his first spring as a Captain, debuted in a list that had not changed since November.

In doubles, Shulman and junior Dusty Nelson of Bemus Point, N.Y., moved into the rankings at No. 10. They spent much of last season in the rankings as well.

CNU will have plenty of opportunities to improve its ranking. The Captains are scheduled to play No. 4 North Carolina Wesleyan, No. 5 Salisbury, No. 7 Mary Washington and No. 12 Averett.

CNU's home opener is at noon Saturday, March 20, against Greensboro -- a concurrent match with CNU's unbeaten women's team.

See full South Atlantic rankings