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Barry University Chasing After A Pair Of National Tennis Championships

MIAMI SHORES (CBS4) - At Barry University, there's plenty to hoop and holler about these days. Both the men's and tennis teams are ranked number one in the NCAA Division two rankings.

It's a school first. Both teams will be playing for national championships next week at the NCAA tournament in Surprise, Arizona near Phoenix.

The tennis teams at Barry have a big international flavor. In fact, the men's team has three German players. The women's team has two.

"The German players are used to structure, and since our program here is very regimented, they fit right in," men's assistant coach Thomas Higg told CBS4's Jim Berry.

It can be quite advantage for the ladies doubles team of Kimmy Twelker and Linda Fritshchken.

"Yes, we do communicate strategy to each other in German," Fritschken admitted. "But other teams also have German players, so we have to be careful.

Since many top American tennis players can choose to attend larger schools, Barry's recruiting focus is to lure international talent.

It has worked. Both the men's and women's teams are undefeated going into the NCAA Division II tournament.

"If we win it all, we're going on a cruise," Twelker said.

Their record suggests that the odds are pretty good.

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