The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced the final rankings for the 2003-2004 season on May 31st. The Gustavus Adolphus women’s tennis team ended the year ranked fifth in the nation with a record of 28-8. Gustavus was the #4 seed in the NCAA Team Finals held May 12-14. It was the 16th consecutive appearance by the Gusties in the NCAA Team Finals. In addition to the team ranking, two doubles teams and two individuals ended the year ranked nationally by the ITA.
The doubles team of Lyndsey Palen (Sophomore, Rochester, Minn.) and Tara Houlihan (Sophomore, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.) posted a record of 18-9 and ended the year ranked fifth in the nation and second in the Central region by the ITA. Kara Smiley (Junior, Bovey, Minn.) and Lauren Hom (First-year, Stevens Point, Wisc.) posted a record of 28-5 and finished the season ranked sixth in the nation and third in the Central region. Both teams earned All-America honors by finishing the season as one of the top ten teams in the nation.
In singles, Tara Houlihan ended the season ranked number one in the Central Region and tenth nationally with a record of 17-6. Houlihan received All-America honors for ranking in the top 20 nationally. Lauren Hom was ranked 30th in the nation and fifth in the Central region by the ITA with a record of 25-5. Lyndsay Palen finished the year ranked 16th in the Central region.