NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – The Smith College Bears are officially among the nation's top Following a series of standout performances against top-tier competition, the Bears have earned the No. 39 spot in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division III National Team Rankings released on March 4.  This historic achievement marks the first time the program has been nationally ranked since 1998, signaling a definitive return to the national spotlight for Smith Athletics.

The ranking marks a historic milestone for the program, reflecting a spring season defined by grit, depth, and a "never-back-down" mentality.

Statement Wins and Narrow Misses

The Bears' ascent was fueled by a signature victory over Skidmore College (currently No.40). The win served notice to the rest of the region that Smith is a force to be reckoned with this season.

The team also proved its mettle in a tightly contested battle against No. 20 Williams College. In a match that came down to the wire, the Bears pushed the perennial powerhouse to the brink before ultimately falling in a 4-3 heartbreaker. The Bears didn't let the close loss linger, however, as they bounced back with a dominant showing against Connecticut College

Looking Ahead

Smith will travel to California for a west coast swing. There they will take on Chapman University, #29 University of the Redlands and #31 Cal Tech. 

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to gosmithbears.com and follow us on Facebook, and  Instagram.