16-Dec-2015
Three Things We Wish You Knew About Recruit Videos
The recruiting process can be confusing - with countless rules about
what recruits can do and when. At High-Tech Tennis, we are very close
to the junior tennis scene, and we are excited to share three things
we wish you knew about recruit videos.
14-Dec-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - December '15
Today we announce the December edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
13-Dec-2015
Images from the USTA National Selection Tourney in Norcross
Check out images from the USTA National Selection Tournament in
Norcross, Ga. Boys and girls from the 12s and 14s converged at
Lifetime Fitness to make statements with their games. Contributor
Bill Kallenberg of Captured In Action was onhand to capture the
event on film.
11-Dec-2015
McKenzie, Auger-Aliassime Make Dramatic Runs to Eddie Herr ITF Titles
Both Kylie McKenzie and Felix Auger Aliassime were a point from being
eliminated from the Eddie Herr Grade 1 ITF tournament in the third
round, but when the warm and sunny week at the IMG Academy came to a
close, the winners' trophies belonged to them.
9-Dec-2015
15-Year-Old Trent Bryde Wins ATP Qualie Match in Atlanta
Sitting in the restaurant of his training facility, Trent Bryde coolly
answered a series of questions about the best week of his young tennis
life. Bryde was only 15 last July when he won the BB&T Atlanta
Open Wild Card Challenge, earning entry into the ATP World Tour 250
qualifying event over a host of seasoned college players. Adding to
Bryde's stunning success was a first-round qualie victory over
33-year-old ATP World Tour pro Catalin-Ionut Gard.
7-Dec-2015
Clay Thompson: One Year After UCLA
Former UCLA standout Clay Thompson ended his first full year on the
professional circuit with a semifinal finish at the JSM Champaign
Challenger, but the year had started quite differently. Thompson
learned that life on the tour was nothing like it had been playing
college tennis.
4-Dec-2015
Former College Stars Make Noise
Former college stars made some noise on the professional circuit in
November, with one winning an Australian Open main draw wild card,
while US girls swept titles at the big ITF junior events in Mexico.
With the final major of the ITA fall season, along with professional
success for juniors, a total of 14 players added to their career
highlights last month.
2-Dec-2015
Willing Way
After hitting with one of my players who made a series of bad
decisions, I contemplated why we so often try to impose our will. In
both life and tennis, it is not about imposing your will - but rather
about what you are willing to do. We are not privileged enough to
force a win, force a shot or force a point on the courts. Tennis, like
life, is about discipline, doing the right things, and ultimately
suffering to reach our goals and aspirations.
30-Nov-2015
Roundtable: When to Take Recruiting Trips
Visiting colleges and meeting potential coaches and teammates is vital
in painting a realistic picture of student-athlete life. But when
should players arrive on campus for a test run? The answer has changed
dramatically over the past decade. We put the question to our panel:
When is the best time for students to take their recruiting trips? Are
players that don't go during their junior years at a disadvantage?
27-Nov-2015
Defending champion Galfi, Ruud Lead Eddie Herr ITF Fields
Since winning last year's Eddie Herr title as a 16-year-old, Dalma
Galfi of Hungary has reached the semifinals of the Australian Open
Junior Championships, won the Wimbledon girls doubles title, the US
Open girls championship and two ITF Women's Circuit titles in
Australia. All that success has given her a shot at ending 2015 as the
ITF Junior World Champion, so she will return to defend her title next
week in Bradenton, Florida.
25-Nov-2015
Laaksonen the Winner at 20th Champaign Challenger
Singles winner Henri Laaksonen and doubles champions David O'Hare
and Joe Salisbury had plenty to celebrate on Saturday as they took the
top prizes at the USTA JSM Champaign pro circuit event, but they
weren't the only ones cheering. The Challenger celebrated its 20th
year, making it one of the longest running tournaments of its kind in
the country.
23-Nov-2015
Krajicek's Climb
There's been nothing meteoric about Austin Krajicek's climb into the
ATP Top 100. The 25-year-old Floridian has methodically advanced in
the rankings since 2011, when he embarked on a pro career after his
final season of eligibility at Texas A&M, reaching the elite level
of professional tennis for the first time last month. Colette Lewis
of ZooTennis.com caught up with Krajicek last week in Illinois.
20-Nov-2015
Matching Up: A New Way to Think About College Tennis Lineups
I have been a sports fan ever since I can remember, and a tennis fan
since my teens, but my interest in college tennis is much more recent.
With that in mind, I have never shared the outrage directed at coaches
who "stack" their lineups. Since time devoted to lineup
challenges and protest hearings is better spent elsewhere, here is my
proposal for a radical change in how lineups are set in college
tennis ...
18-Nov-2015
Bucknell Is In His Blood
Even though Senior Max Palmer moved to Houston right before he started
high school, he always knew he would come back to his native Northeast
for college. Palmer prefers training and playing on indoor courts - a
necessary mainstay for northeastern schools. Playing on the fast
courts allows him to maximize his talents - and it also forces him to
work on staying a bit more patient. With that in mind, Palmer recently
committed to Bucknell University in Pennsylvania for Fall 2016.
16-Nov-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - November '15
Today we announce the November edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
15-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Mack Galvin Flies with the Falcons
When it comes to choosing a college, all students must choose
wisely, putting every consideration into one of the most important
decisions of their life. This is even truer for a tennis player who
has to consider the team he'll be playing and practicing with all the
time. That choice becomes even more of a commitment when you choose to
attend the United States Air Force Academy. Mack Galvin never took
that lightly.
14-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Sophia Adams Goes Spartan
Sophia Adams once visited North Carolina for a wedding. She liked it
so much that she's going back to play tennis there. That's how a
Miami girl became the latest tennis recruit for UNC-Greensboro.
13-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Keys to Success in Recruiting
I have been in the sports recruiting business for about six years now,
and over the years I have seen some players successful in recruiting
while others have struggled. The difference between those who end up
playing college tennis and those who do not is not always who is a
better player - but often who is willing to work harder and smarter
than their competition. Check out my keys to success in the recruiting
process.
13-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: College Tennis - Pathway to Pro Tennis
With their recent success on the professional tours, former college
stars such as Kevin Anderson, Jon Isner, Steve Johnson and Irina
Falconi are showing that college tennis is a very viable pathway to
professional tennis success. Current college stars and professional
greats give their opinions on how college tennis has shaped their
athletic careers.
12-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Jenna Friedel Heading to Cambridge
The initial plan was to make several visits to see colleges. But
Jenna Friedel canceled the rest of her itinerary after only one stop.
She didn't need any more campus tours. The blue chip senior knew
Harvard University was the one.
12-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Fighting Irish Bet on Gamble
Playing his first tournament at 9 years old in his hometown of
Webster, New York, Matthew Gamble was disappointed in his 8-0 defeat.
Gamble continued with tennis, choosing it as his only sport at age 14
- developing a booming forehand and an aggressive style of play that
has earned him a top-15 ranking throughout high school. And today,
Gamble announces his commitment to play college tennis at the
University of Notre Dame.
11-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Blue Chip Emma Higuchi is a Cardinal
Recruiting interest was high on Emma Higuchi, whose
résumé includes titles at the Easter Bowl and National
Clay Courts, silver and bronze USTA balls, and World Juniors
participant. Higuchi took her time and visited a number of schools
this year before eventually deciding to take the five-hour drive north
from her home in Los Angeles to Stanford University.
11-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Hady Habib Heads to Texas A&M
Hady Habib, a Blue Chip senior who hails from Houston, is regarded as
a tenacious tennis player who will bring explosive energy and a huge
forehand with him to college. Wanting to stay in the Lone Star State,
Habib strongly considered Baylor and Texas before ultimately deciding
to join Steve Denton's squad at Texas A&M University.
11-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Kenya Jones Chooses the Jackets
To say that Kenya Jones is constantly looking for an opportunity is an
understatement. Whether it's an opportunity to learn in school,
advance her tennis career, think ahead to a possible internship or
maybe even choose to excel in multiple sports, Jones is game. This
fall, Jones weighed all the options and opportunities that were
presented to her as she decided to accept a tennis scholarship to play
for Coach Rodney Harmon and Georgia Tech.
10-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Freshmen to Watch in D-III Tennis
Tomorrow is Signing Day, when players can sign NLI contracts with NCAA
Division I or II schools. Division III athletics is different in that
there are no formal athletic scholarships, but recruiting in D-III is
similar in that hundreds of high school players are committing to
D-III programs even as we speak. Our friends at Division3Tennis.com
take a look at last year's recruits - and how they will fit into their
teams as freshmen in 2015-16.
10-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Madison Tedford Joins the Frogs
Last Fall, Madison Tedford was a mess. Her legs were hurting from what
turned out to be a shin fracture, which led to her forehand breaking
down. But after some time off from competitive tennis and revisiting
the fundamentals with her coaches at TBarM Tennis, Tedford is playing
the best tennis of her life. The Four-star senior recently made her
college decision as well - heading to Texas Christian University in
Fort Worth, Texas.
10-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: National Recruiting Roundup
Yesterday, we looked at the Blue Chips. Today, we hear from seniors
around the country who plan to sign NLIs during Signing Week - which
officially begins tomorrow. Take a look at what they had to say...
in our National Recruiting Roundup.
9-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Hoffmann Stays Close to Home at Cal
Elite Southern California tennis players looking to play at the
college level have a built-in advantage - they can keep their search
fairly close to home. Bjorn Hoffmann is a lifelong Southern
Californian who went this route - making only a handful of unofficial
visits before deciding to make a verbal commitment to the University
of California at Berkeley.
9-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Playing Your Best Tennis for Coaches
The more something means to players, the more pressure they put on
themselves to succeed. One of the most uncomfortable moments for
aspiring college tennis players is competing in front of college
coaches. To avoid underperforming, athletes need to focus on enjoying
their time on the court the most. Here are a few tips to help players
start the process ...
9-Nov-2015
Fall Signing Week '15: Overview and Blue Chip Update
The time has come. The time is now. Today, The Tennis Recruiting
Network kicks off its coverage of Signing Week 2015, and our slate of
articles is ready to go. Lots of articles, and lots of commitment
announcements. Lots of what you want. We kick things off today with
one final look at the Blue Chip boys and girls.
8-Nov-2015
South Carolina ITF Photo Gallery
With Signing Week looming large, we have one more ITF Photo Gallery
for you to enjoy. Bill Kallenberg of Captured In Action was in
Lexington, S.C., for the South Carolina ITF. Enjoy images from the
tournament...
8-Nov-2015
Images from the Atlanta ITF
Bill Kallenberg of Captured In Action has been busy. He has made
the rounds of the ITF junior circuit over the past few weeks, and
we are lucky enough to have three photo galleries from three
different events. Next up is the Atlanta ITF - played recently at
Lifetime Fitness in Norcross, Ga. Check out action shots from the
event...
7-Nov-2015
Pan American ITF Gallery
Signing Week is upon us, but today we have images from the Pan
American ITF from Tulsa, Okla. Photographer Bill Kallenberg was
in Tulsa to capture images from the prestigious event. Take
a look...
6-Nov-2015
US Boys Dominate October Aces
American boys have been the talk of tennis over the summer, with
three of the 17-year-olds capturing titles last month on the ATP
Challenger and ITF Men's Pro Circuit. Adding in the ITA All-American
winners, as well as other juniors taking pro titles, puts the number
of top performers in October at 14.
5-Nov-2015
Countdown: Differences in Recruiting Men and Women
College tennis coaches must be adept at finding talent to fill their
rosters. Perhaps the coaches with the most difficult tasks are those
that direct both women's and men's teams. We put the question to our
panel of coaches: What are the main differences between recruiting for
a men's program and a women's program? Do you sell your school
differently depending on the gender of the recruit?
4-Nov-2015
Countdown: Georgia Finds Stars Close to Home
It didn't take Georgia coach Manny Diaz too long to find one of his
recruits for the 2016-17 season. Maybe a shout down the hall of his
Athens, Ga., home was enough to snag the second of his sons for the
team. In addition to his youngest son Alex, two other top recruits
from the South - Alex Phillips and Robert Loeb - are also slated to
become Bulldogs in Fall 2016.
3-Nov-2015
Countdown: Zoë Spence Joins the Irish
From the tournament she helped originate in West Africa, to
numerous countries she has visited to play on the International Tennis
Federation circuit, Zoë Spence is well-traveled even by junior tennis
standards. When next summer arrives, though, she'll settle at a place
she and her family know extremely well: Notre Dame.
2-Nov-2015
Countdown: Avoiding Senioritis After Committing
There's no vaccine for senioritis, which makes it all the more
imperative you take preventative measures against it. NCSA Athletic
Recruiting gives tips on how to do just that.
31-Oct-2015
ImRecruitable College Training Day and Showcase
ImRecruitable will once again host its largest recruiting event of the
year. The College Training Day and Showcase will be held at Sunrise
Tennis Club in Sunrise, Fla., on Dec 2 and 3, 2015. These events allow
players the opportunity to gain maximum exposure and networking with
college coaches that can lead directly to scholarship opportunities.
30-Oct-2015
Countdown: Fighting Illini Claim Clark
Zeke Clark's competitive fire made the Oklahoma resident one of the
nation's top recruits. Although several Big 12 schools closer to home
were in the picture, the Big Ten's University of Illinois won the
battle for the 17-year-old from Tulsa, who will join the Fighting
Illini in the fall of 2016.
29-Oct-2015
Countdown: College Tennis Returns Leaders of Tomorrow
College tennis has a storied history of producing athletes that have
gone on to achieve great success in the professional ranks. But it's
not just on the courts where former college tennis players shine. Take
a look around at some of the biggest companies and organizations in
the world, and more times than not you'll find that the Chief
Executive Officer and other senior leaders have a tennis - and more
specifically a college tennis - background.
28-Oct-2015
Countdown: Horton Stays Close to Home at Coker
As a kid, Hunter Horton attended tennis camps at the Coker College
campus and sparked a connection with the coaches over the years. It
was that personal connection with the school - and a new friendship
with his future teammates - that Horton said made it a clear choice
for his collegiate career.
27-Oct-2015
Countdown: Cao Twins are Bound for Memphis
The college search for four-star identical twins Josephine and
Katherine Cao began and ended in Memphis, Tennessee. Hoping to get
acquainted with various colleges and tennis coaches at the 2015
National Clay Courts, the Cao sisters were separately approached by
coaches from the University of Memphis. A short while later, the
sisters happily gave their verbal commitments to the Tigers.
26-Oct-2015
Countdown: Checking In with Jamie Hunt
Jamie Hunt was ranked as high as No. 2 by TennisRecruiting.net when he
signed with Georgia in 2006. Hunt won the U.S. Open Junior doubles
title and is the only junior player in history to win the Easter Bowl
doubles titles in the 14s, 16s and 18s. Today he is Associate Head Coach of
Men's Tennis at Vanderbilt. We caught up with Hunt in the latest edition
of Where Are They Now?
24-Oct-2015
Countdown: Bojczuk Heads to Notre Dame
Blue Chip junior Ally Bojczuk played most sports growing up, but nothing
compared to tennis. She first walked on a court at age 8, and she loved
to play even when she couldn't rally. She set to hard work and
steadily improved to where she is a top player in the nation in both singles
and doubles. Fast forward to today - where the top recruit is committing
to a certain school in South Bend, Indiana...
23-Oct-2015
Countdown: Blue Chip Boys
Today we visit with the senior Blue Chip boys to find out where they
are in the college recruiting process. How many have decided? Which
players are still wide open? And are any of them leaning towards your
favorite school? Find out now...
22-Oct-2015
Wild Card Holt Sweeps Boys Titles, Day Wins Girls Singles Championship at ITF Pan American Closed
Southern Californians Brandon Holt and Kayla Day undoubtedly felt at
home with the weather for the ITF Grade B1 Pan American last week in
Tulsa. With cloudless skies and warm temperatures providing an ideal
backdrop, Holt and Day rolled into the final weekend. The weather
cooled, but the pair stayed hot, with Holt defeating unseeded JJ Wolf
6-1, 6-7(5), 6-0 and No. 2 seed Day downing No. 9 seed Kelly Chen 6-4,
6-1, securing the first ITF Grade 1 titles for both.
21-Oct-2015
Countdown: Kaden Funk Headed to Penn
Five-star senior Kaden Funk has had a great run in junior tennis.
Playing in the tennis-rich state of Florida, he has numerous wins over
current college players, and he won the Class 4A state championship
as a sophomore. Next year, Funk will take his tennis talents and
his strong academic skills to the Ivy League and the University of
Pennsylvania.
20-Oct-2015
Countdown: Coffman Chooses Dallas Baptist
Three-star recruit Madeline Coffman is a well-traveled young lady.
Coffman played tennis her freshman year of high school in Houston, her
sophomore year in Purcellville, Va., and finally, in her current home
of Flower Mound, Texas. Starting in January, Coffman will have to
travel only 30 miles to Dallas, Texas, where she plans to become a
member of the Dallas Baptist University women's tennis team.
19-Oct-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - October '15
Today we announce the October edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
18-Oct-2015
Images from the USTA Closed in Las Vegas
Although the Countdown to Signing Week is in full swing, fall is a
great time for all junior tennis players to compete in the cooling
weather. Tennis Recruiting photographers were in Las Vegas last week
for a USTA Closed Regional. Take a look at the action shots we got
from the event...
17-Oct-2015
Countdown: Maria Smith Heads to Berkeley
Maria Smith, who has spent short stretches over the past few years in
the Golden State for tennis training, will call California home for
the next four years, starting in January 2016. The senior from
Houston, Texas, is graduating a semester early and will join the
Golden Bears of the University of California, Berkeley.
16-Oct-2015
Countdown: Blue Chip Girls
We wrap up our first week of the Countdown to Signing Day with a look
at the top girls in the senior class. This year's Blue Chip recruits talked
with us about their decision process. Some have made verbal
commitments, most have confirmed or taken their official visits, and
some are still wide open. Take a look and see where things stand...
15-Oct-2015
Countdown: Should my Application Essay Include Tennis?
It's that time of year when high school seniors are preparing their
college applications. One of the most important pieces you'll enclose
in that packet is your application essay. As a junior tennis player,
the sport has become a huge part of your life. It was certainly the
main focus when you were writing to coaches and telling them how much
you want to be on their teams, but does it belong in the college
application essay?
14-Oct-2015
Countdown: Goulak Heads to UC Davis
The UC Davis men's tennis program was the first to contact David
Goulak during the recruiting period, but it was his visit to the
campus that pushed it to the top of his list. "I just felt like I
was wanted, and they made me feel that way more than any other school
that I visited," said Goulak. The 5-star recruit from Oak Park,
Calif., native has verbally committed to the Aggies.
13-Oct-2015
Countdown: Bihel Has 'Golden' Opportunity with Gophers
Top USTA Midwest recruit Karyna Bihel has been playing tennis since
the age of four, but she only started thinking about the possibility
of playing college tennis last summer after reaching the quarterfinals
of a Midwest Closed tournament. After careful consideration and an
official visit, Bihel committed to play tennis at the University of
Minnesota next Fall.
12-Oct-2015
Countdown: Howells Chooses the Irish
William Howells wanted to find a college with a good athletic
reputation. He wanted to find a college with a strong academic
background. But Howells also wanted something more. He believes he
found it at the University Of Notre Dame.
12-Oct-2015
Countdown: Favero Has a Cavalier Attitude
Want to spend time with Camille Favero? Take a number. The 17-year-old
senior maintains a 4.2 grade point average, is a classically trained
violinist, volunteers with special needs children, and is a Blue Chip
senior. Next year, Favero will head to Charlottesville, Va., to join
Mark Guilbeau and his Virginia Cavaliers.
9-Oct-2015
Countdown to Signing Day
We are now just a little over a month away from Signing Day. November
11th is the first day of the one-week fall signing period, the only
opportunity this calendar year for seniors to sign a National Letter
of Intent with a Division I or Division II school. As always, The
Tennis Recruiting Network and GAMMA are here to keep you up to date on
all the happenings.
7-Oct-2015
USTA Adds Brad Stine to National Collegiate Coaching Staff
Brad Stine has coached tennis for 30 years, and he was recently
appointed as the newest member of the USTA Player
Development's collegiate division. Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com
recently talked with Stine about many topics - including the reasons
he decided to pursue coaching, the five requirements for success as a
pro, the value of the college pathway and the ITF's push for more
prize money at the lower levels.
5-Oct-2015
An Overview of Ratings and Rankings
Tennis Recruiting is a website that rates and ranks junior tennis
players, and because of that, we field many questions about how to
interpret our lists. Questions like, "Are rankings better than
ratings? Which is more important?" Or, "Since your system
ranks by graduation year, are you able to compare players from
different classes?" This article addresses the simple distinction
between ratings and rankings.
2-Oct-2015
September Aces Feature in US Open and Other Pro Tournaments
School is back in session and several of last month's aces returned to
college with hardware to add to their trophy cases. Juniors also
excelled, both at the US Open and in smaller professional events
around the world.
30-Sep-2015
Pietro Rimondini Commits to the Big Red
Blue Chip senior Pietro Rimondini is originally from Italy. The
Rimondini family moved to the United States when he was ten years old
for better tennis and educational opportunities. The talented
17-year-old from Boca Prep International School has committed to
Cornell University where he will continue his tennis career.
28-Sep-2015
The Buckeye Tree of College Tennis Coaches
The Ohio State University tennis program has produced some of the most
successful collegiate players in the nation - but they have also
produced some outstanding coaches. The "Buckeye Tree" of
coaches can be traced back to one man, Ty Tucker, who has been the
Buckeyes Head Men's Tennis Coach since 1999 and Director of Tennis
since 2012.
26-Sep-2015
TennisRecruiting.net International Junior Tennis Showcase Series
Rick Workman, USPTA, who has served as tournament director for the
Eddie Herr, Little Mo, and Pan Am ITF Junior Championships, announces
the creation of three new international junior tennis tournaments to
begin this December in South Florida: The TennisRecruiting.net
International Showcase Series.
25-Sep-2015
UCLA Sweeps Titles at American Collegiate Invitational
The second annual American Collegiate Invitational, held in the final
days of the US Open Championships, had more than its share of weather
issues and UCLA Bruins. The women's final, with Robin Anderson
defeating Chanelle Van Nguyen 6-4, 6-4, was an all-UCLA contest
finished indoors, while Mackenzie McDonald managed a 6-2, 7-5 victory
in the final over Vanderbilt's Gonzales Austin, the only non-Bruin to
reach either final.
23-Sep-2015
Billie Jean King on American Junior and College Tennis
Tennis legend Billie Jean King has never been shy about voicing her
opinions on American tennis. Any complaints she registers usually come
with suggested solutions. Contributor Marcia Frost sat down with King
to discuss the future of tennis - with a focus on American junior and
college tennis - during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of
Mylan World TeamTennis in August.
22-Sep-2015
Roundtable: The Dos and Don'ts of Recruiting Videos
For most junior tennis players, the recruiting process involves some
savvy self-marketing. In addition to reaching out to coaches via phone
and email or seeking them out during a summer national event, many
athletes opt to send out a recruiting video to show off their skills.
We asked our panel of coaches: What are you looking for in a
recruiting video? How can players best portray themselves in a short
clip?
20-Sep-2015
Action Shots from the US Open Juniors
Following up our US Open Junior Championships wrap-up on Friday, today
we have action shots from the US Open from photographer Bill
Kallenberg. Check out images of the kids who competed for the title
in New York...
18-Sep-2015
Fritz Tops Paul to Earn US Open Boys Title
Top seed Taylor Fritz came through in his last opportunity to win a
junior slam in yet another boys major dominated by Americans, while
No. 2 seed Dalma Galfi of Hungary became the first from her country to
take home the winner's trophy at the US Open Junior Championships last
week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
16-Sep-2015
Revisiting the US Open Forecast
The US Open is the premiere event on American soil, and so Tennis
Recruiting pulled out its heat maps once again to forecast the
tournament. There were lots of upsets (Wait, Serena lost?), but let's
take a look at how our predictions played out...
15-Sep-2015
Conversation With Former NCAA Champion Jeff Morrison
Jeff Morrison was a strong junior player - but he was never in
contention for a USTA junior national title. After committing to
the University of Florida and playing No. 4 as a freshman, Morrison
overcame injury his sophomore year and won the NCAA singles title
over Harvard's James Blake - followed by a seven-year professional
career where he achieved a world ranking of No. 85. We catch up with
Morrison in our latest "Where Are They Now" article...
14-Sep-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - September '15
Today we announce the September edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
10-Sep-2015
The Marathon Mentality: Developing a Mentally Tough Tennis Player
To achieve real results, junior tennis players need to change and
enhance their overall mentality. I often tell my tennis players that
success is not a sprint - but rather a marathon.
9-Sep-2015
College and Junior Players Give it a Try at US Open
The USTA gave out quite a few wildcards this year to junior and
former college players. Those players joined some veterans of college
tennis in the main draws at the US Open.
8-Sep-2015
World TeamTennis at 40: Supporting Junior and College Players
It's been 40 years since Billie Jean and Larry King launched World
TeamTennis - an unusual team tennis concept that would bring together
men and women in a fun, yet competitive, atmosphere. WTT, which has
been sponsored by Mylan since 2012, has been an especially popular
launching pad for top juniors and players just out of college who are
looking to make their way into the pros.
7-Sep-2015
Former College Players Headline August Aces
With one exception, the dozen aces below don't include the USTA
National Champions, who had articles devoted to their titles during
Championship Week here at the Tennis Recruiting Network. Let's
take a look at the achievements of other junior and college players
from the last month.
5-Sep-2015
Forecasting the US Open Juniors
The US Open Juniors start Sunday, and Tennis Recruiting is here with
another set of Heat Maps. We once again use the power ratings that
power our head-to-head rankings to forecast the junior major on US soil.
Check out projections for every player in the draws...
4-Sep-2015
Action Shots from the Boys' 16 Nationals
All eyes in the tennis world continue to focus on the Open in New
York. The US Open juniors get underway tomorrow, where several
Americans are among the favorites to win the title. Check out action
photos of some of these kids from last month's Boys 18 Nationals in
Kalamazoo, courtesy of Bill Kallenberg. The 18s gallery was available
this morning, and the 16s are now available as well.
4-Sep-2015
Boys' 18 Nationals Photo Gallery
All eyes in the tennis world continue to focus on the Open in New
York. The US Open juniors get underway tomorrow, where several
Americans are among the favorites to win the title. Check out action
photos of some of these kids from last month's Boys 18 Nationals in
Kalamazoo, courtesy of Bill Kallenberg. The 18s gallery is available
now, and the 16s will be available this afternoon.
3-Sep-2015
USTA's New Initiative Aims to Reach Hispanics
The USTA's new leader, Katrina Adams, is reaching out to the
Hispanic community, telling them tennis is a lifetime sport - and
that college scholarships should be a goal for junior players. Adams
may have only started serving her two-year term as USTA Chairman of
the Board, CEO and President on Jan. 1, 2015, but her first major
initiative has the potential to change the face of tennis forever.
1-Sep-2015
Kalinskaya Sweeps International Hard Courts Titles Again; Auger Aliassime Takes Boys Championship
A veteran and a newcomer were the stars of last week's ITF Grade 1
International Hard Court Championships, with top seed Anna Kalinskaya
of Russia defending her title with a 6-4, 7-6(3) win over No. 2 seed
Tereza Mihalikova of Slovakia, and No. 7 seed Felix Auger Aliassime
defeating No. 15 seed Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 7-6(6) in an all-Canadian
final at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland.
31-Aug-2015
Tennis Recruiting Welcomes the Class of 2022
As summer draws to a close, things are gearing up at the Tennis
Recruiting Network. This week marks the beginning of the 2015-16 year.
Last week we said our goodbyes to the Class of 2015, and this week we
officially welcome the Class of 2022. A brand new crop of sixth
graders officially joins our rankings starting tomorrow.
30-Aug-2015
US Open Qualifiers Include College and Junior Players
The US Open Qualifying event has not received the recognition it
should over the years. That changed this year - as nearly 47,000
attended the free event over a four-day period. Those who did come to
the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center were treated to top notch
tennis from both veterans and rising stars.
28-Aug-2015
Top Pros Weigh In On College Tennis Decision
Ask a group of 12-and-unders at the local courts what they want to be
when they grow up, and you'll likely hear some of them answer
enthusiastically: "A pro tennis player!" But even the very best of
those rising stars must decide whether to give college tennis a try or
chase their childhood dreams on the pro tour. We talked with three
former college standouts on the pro tour about their decision to
attend college, life as a pro and their advice for junior players.
25-Aug-2015
Lane Leschly Heads to Harvard
Tennis runs in Lane Leschly's blood. His grandfather, Jan, achieved a
world ranking of No. 10 in 1967, and his father, Mark, who is also
Lane's coach, competed for Harvard. Recently, the Blue Chip senior
committed to the Crimson over a host of other top schools - joining
Head Coach Dave Fish who had coached his father nearly thirty years
ago.
24-Aug-2015
Alex Rybakov Chooses TCU
Blue chip Alex Rybakov, the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2015, had
expected to bypass college and jump directly to the pro tour. But this
summer, the 18-year-old Floridian decided to investigate the college
route, which led to his selection of TCU as the program best suited to
help him prepare for a professional career.
21-Aug-2015
Bobby Reynolds Starts New Chapter at Oklahoma
A stellar playing career at Vanderbilt prepared Bobby Reynolds for a
successful decade on the ATP tour. Now he is returning to college
tennis - this time as a coach. Reynolds is joining men's head coach
John Roddick as his assistant at the University of Oklahoma.
19-Aug-2015
Roundtable: Division II Tennis
As a student-athlete navigates the recruiting process, he or she may
not find the ideal combination of tennis and academics at a Division I
university. In those cases, looking into Division II programs may be a
logical next step. We put the question to a number of D-II coaches:
What are some advantages of Division II tennis? What are some of the
key differences of Division II athletics? What are some common
misconceptions? Which players thrive in the Division II environment?
18-Aug-2015
Smrikva Bowl - and Junior Tennis - a Decade Later
At the turn of the century, an international union was formed that
didn't get worldwide recognition. Carol Weyman, now Vice President of
the Maureen Connolly Brinker Foundation, most known for the
'Little Mo' tournaments, and Miodrag Bozovic, tournament
director of the Smrikva Bowl, formed a bond across the ocean between
the two premier 10-and-under programs in the world. Marcia Frost looks
back on the ten-year history of the relationship.
17-Aug-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - August '15
Today we announce the August edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
15-Aug-2015
Revisiting the USTA Nationals Forecast
For the second time in as many national championship events, Tennis
Recruiting put out heat maps forecasting last week's USTA National
Championships. We put our rankings on the line - making predictions
about how the tournaments would play out. It's time to take another
look at those predictions to see how we did...
14-Aug-2015
Tiafoe Outlasts Kozlov to Claim 18s Title
Upsets were as rare as rain drops during the ten days of the USTA Boys
18s Nationals at Kalamazoo College's Stowe Stadium, with seven of the
top eight seeds reaching the quarterfinals. After nine days of mostly
expected results, the final delivered more than four hours of
excitement and drama with top seed Frances Tiafoe defeating No. 3 seed
Stefan Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4 to claim the championship and
the US Open main draw wild card that accompanies it.
14-Aug-2015
Kenin Returns, Finishes the Job at Girls 18s
Sofia Kenin was devastated last year when she lost in the semifinals
of the USTA Girls 18s Nationals. She realized how close she came to
receiving a coveted wild card into the main draw of the U.S. Open
women's singles event. Kenin, 16, returned this year determined to be
focused, and the No. 3 seeded Kenin of Pembroke Pines, Fla., outlasted
top-seeded Tornado Alicia Black of Boca Raton, Fla., 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 to
capture the singles title in San Diego.
13-Aug-2015
Kypson Rebounds from Surgery to Claim 16s Title
A ruptured appendix just two months ago isn't exactly ideal
preparation for the major national summer tournaments, but Patrick
Kypson's rapid recovery was in evidence when he sailed through the
draw without dropping a set to capture the USTA Boys 16 National
Championship at Kalamazoo College's Stowe Stadium. The 15-year-old
from Greenville, North Carolina, seeded third, defeated No. 4 seed
Alexandre Rotsaert 6-3, 6-3 in the championship match.
13-Aug-2015
Unseeded Desiatnikov Wins Girls 16 Nationals
Because she entered the tournament as an unseeded player, it was
understandable to overlook Abigail Desiatnikov as a serious threat at
the 2015 USTA Girls 16 Nationals. Desiatnikov certainly didn't see it
that way, and the 14-year-old Atlanta resident capped a brilliant
performance stretched over seven matches when she defeated 15th-seeded
Whitney Osuigwe 6-1, 7-6 (2) on Saturday to capture the Girls 16s
Nationals.
12-Aug-2015
Nathan Han Wins USTA Boys 14 Nationals
Nathan Han is now the proud owner of a USTA Gold Ball. The Tulsa,
Okla., resident captured the coveted top singles prize of the USTA
Boys 14 National Championships Aug. 8 at McFarlin Tennis Center. The
fourth-seeded Han beat No. 5 Ronan Jachuck of Boca Raton, Fla. 6-3,
4-6, 7-5 in a two-and-a-half hour battle in the San Antonio heat.
12-Aug-2015
Volynets Wins Another Gold Ball in Georgia at 14s
Georgia has been good to California's Katie Volynets. A year ago, the
13-year-old from Walnut Grove won the USTA Girls 12 Nationals in
Alpharetta, Ga., to claim her first national title. Now, Volynets has
won her second gold ball, also in Georgia. She defeated Naomi Cheong
of Las Vegas 6-3, 6-1 on Aug. 7 to win the USTA Girls 14 National
Championships at Peachtree City Tennis Center.
11-Aug-2015
Saud Alhogbani Wins Second Consecutive Gold
Saud Alhogbani's strategy in every tennis match is simple: give each
point 100 percent, try to get everything back in play, and be
aggressive when the opportunity arises. Superb execution earned the
Blue Chip athlete from Alexandria, Va., the singles gold ball at the
2015 Boys 12s National Hard Court Championships in North Little Rock,
Arkansas, defeating No. 5 seed Benjamin Kittay of Potomac, Md., 6-3,
6-0 in the final.
11-Aug-2015
Family Effort Propels Yanez to USTA Girls 12 Title
Sarasota, Fla., resident Nikki Yanez claimed her first national
championship this past week at the USTA Girls 12 Nationals in
Alpharetta, Ga. She wanted to improve on her performance at the Clay Court
Championships, and she did just that - winning the title 7-5, 7-6 at the
Windward Lake Club over No. 5 seed Rachel Arbitman of Hewlett, N.Y.
10-Aug-2015
Images from the Girls' 14s and 12s Nationals
The Girls' 14s and 12s are both in the Atlanta metro area - which is a
convenient drive from our Georgia-based offices. TennisRecruiting.net
photographers were in Peachtree City and Alpharetta to get some great
action shots from these younger girls' divisions.
10-Aug-2015
Hard Court Championship Week
The USTA National Championships have now concluded - and gold balls
have been awarded to your latest national champions. All week long,
TennisRecruiting.net and Van Der Meer Academy celebrate these winners
- from the East Coast to the West Coast - with coverage of the
Nationals. Enjoy the 2015 edition of Championship Week.
7-Aug-2015
Conversation With Former NCAA Champion Amanda McDowell
Atlanta native Amanda McDowell was the NCAA women's singles champion
in 2008 as a sophomore. Injuries dogged her during the final two years
of her college career, but she had two more productive years at Georgia Tech
and made a nice go of it on the pro tour, getting as high as No. 450
in the world before calling it a career in 2012. Todd Holcomb caught
up with McDowell - who has since moved from the tennis court to the
court of law.
6-Aug-2015
Why Junior Tennis Players Keep Failing
One of the biggest questions junior tennis players and parents who
have not had mental training is, "Why is their training and hard
work not transferring into more wins?" Patrick Albam of SPMI
takes on this question...
5-Aug-2015
Dynasty Building - NAIA Style - at Georgia Gwinnett College
The word "dynasty" isn't thrown around loosely in
sports. One would hesitate in using the word dynasty to describe an
upstart tennis program at an NAIA school in the suburbs of Atlanta.
But the Georgia Gwinnett College tennis teams delivered the school its
first-ever national titles in any sport with both the Men's and
Women's NAIA National Championship titles in 2014, and the men
repeated in dominating fashion in May, 2015.
4-Aug-2015
SoCal is Back on Top at USTA Boys 18 Team Championships
From 2004 to 2009, the Southern California section ruled the USTA
Boys 18 National Team Championships, but they haven t held the trophy
again since - until this year. USTA SoCal defeated the top-ranked Eastern
squad 5-2 to take the title.
3-Aug-2015
July Aces Take Center Stage at Wimbledon, Davis Cup
From Wimbledon and Davis Cup to Evansville, Indiana and Godfrey,
Illinois, the hard work of winning takes place on tennis stages big
and small, as these 14 competitors demonstrated last month.
1-Aug-2015
Forecasting the USTA National Championships
We had so much fun with the Clay Courts that we decided to do it all
again. The USTA National Championships start today all around the
country, and Tennis Recruiting once again forecasts the tournament
with its Heat Maps - showing predictings for every player in the
draws. Let's take a look at the best players in American junior
tennis...
31-Jul-2015
Junior Slam Champions, World No. 1 Junior Headline Kalamazoo Field
French Open boys champion Tommy Paul, Wimbledon boys champion Reilly
Opelka and Taylor Fritz, the International Tennis Federation's No. 1
junior, are competing this year in the 73rd edition of the USTA Boys
Nationals in Kalamazoo, but the strength of the field is such that
none of the three will be the top seed in the 18s division.
28-Jul-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - July '15
Today we announce the July edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
27-Jul-2015
Ten Questions with World Junior No. 1 Taylor Fritz
Just over two years ago, Taylor Fritz played his first International
Tennis Federation junior tournament, the Claremont Grade 4, which is
within driving distance of his San Diego area home. Last month, after
reaching the French Open boys final, where he lost to Tommy Paul in
the first all-American final in that tournament's history, Fritz took
over the No. 1 spot in the ITF junior rankings. Colette Lewis of
ZooTennis.com caught up with Fritz at Wimbledon.
25-Jul-2015
Analysis of Junior Ratings and Rankings
The Tennis Recruiting ranking system provides a predictive measure of
junior tennis players. For the recent Clay Court Championships, our
rankings correctly predicted 77.2% of the match results. So - is that
a good number? This article compares the Tennis Recruiting ranking
system with other junior tennis ranking and rating systems.
25-Jul-2015
Revisiting the Clay Court Forecast
Before the USTA Clay Court Championships began, Tennis Recruiting put
out heat maps forecasting the chances players had to make runs through
the tournament. So, how did we do? Let's take a look now that the
tournaments are complete...
24-Jul-2015
Riffice Pulls Through to Claim Gold in Boys 18s
A seven-hour rain delay and a few rounds of pickle ball may have saved
Sam Riffice in the boys' 18s final of the USTA National Clay Court
Championships. Riffice trailed 5-1 in the first set of the title
match against fellow Boca Raton resident Alexandre Rotsaert before a
downpour forced the competitors off the court. When the pair returned
Riffice rallied for a 7-6 (5); 6-3 victory for the first gold ball of
his career.
24-Jul-2015
Ellyse Hamlin Wins Singles, Doubles in Girls 18s
Ellyse Hamlin has some glittering hardware on display at her home in
Fairfield, Conn. Hamlin captured the gold balls of the singles and
doubles events at the USTA Girls 18 Clay Courts Championships at The
Racquet Club of Memphis. The sixth-seeded Hamlin beat No. 17 Kaitlyn
McCarthy of Cary, N.C., 6-7 (8), 6-1, 7-5 in a three-hour singles
battle. Hamlin and teamed with Katharine Fahey of Fair Haven, N.J.,
to claim the doubles title.
23-Jul-2015
Danny Thomas Wins Boys 16s in South Florida
It wasn't until four years ago that Danny "DJ" Thomas first
started taking tennis seriously. Now the talented 15-year-old is
taking the sport by storm - literally. Thomas, of Columbus, OH, won
his first gold ball in singles as he captured the Boys 16s USTA
National Clay Court Championships with a 6-2; 6-4 win over Aleks Huryn
(Alpharetta, GA) at the Boca West Country Club.
23-Jul-2015
Noel Sweeps Through Draw to Claim Girls 14 Clays
As the USTA Girls 14 National Clay Court Championships kicked off at
the Frank Veltri Tennis Center in Plantation, Fla., the future stars
of the game showed off their talent with intense competition. And when
the clay court dust had finally settled, new singles and doubles
champions had been crowned. In singles, top seed Alexa Noel charged
her way through the draw with ease, dropping only one set the entire
week before eventually defeating Hailey Baptiste in the final.
22-Jul-2015
Martinelli Takes 16s Title in Virginia Beach
Samantha Martinelli usually enjoys clay-court tennis about as much as
swimmers and surfers enjoy seeing a shark's fin in the coastal
Virginia water. But with smart preparation, the Denver Blue Chip
recruit navigated her way through a draw of 192 to capture the title
at the USTA Girls' 16 National Clay Court Championships.
22-Jul-2015
William Grant Takes Control of Boys 14s
Will Grant was the No. 7 seed seeking his first singles national
title, but the Santa Barbara, Calif., teenager didn't doubt he could
get it done last week at the USTA Boys 14 Clay Court Championships in
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Grant won three three-set matches and beat two
higher-seeded players - including No. 4 JT Brooksby of Carmichael,
Calif., 7-6 (2), 6-3 in the final - to win the title at the Jimmy
Evert Tennis Center.
21-Jul-2015
Saud Alhogbani Wins USTA Boys 12 Clays
Twelfth-seeded Saud Alhogbani won the singles title of the USTA Boys
12 Clay Court Championships with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over No. 4 Karl
Lee on July 18 at Hanes Park-Joe White Tennis Center. Alhogbani, who
hails from Alexandria, Va., captured the coveted gold ball by knocking
off four higher-seeded players in the process.
21-Jul-2015
Kalieva Upsets Top Seed in Three Sets in 12s
Elvina Kalieva earned her first USTA Gold Ball at the Girls 12s
National Clay Court Championships on a sunny Saturday morning.
Kalieva, the No. 9 seed, won five three-set matches during the
tournament - four where she lost the first set. The championship match
against top-seeded Charlotte Owensby was no different, where she
pulled out a thrilling 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory against the local
favorite.
20-Jul-2015
Clay Court Championship Week
Last week, the USTA Clay Court Championships took place throughout the
Southeast - in Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. This
week at the website is all about the Clay Courts. TennisRecruiting.net
and Van Der Meer Academy have roundups of all eight age divisions - from
the Boys' 12s to the Girls' 18s. Meet the latest gold ball winners...
in Clay Court Championship Week.
19-Jul-2015
Images from the Georgia Junior Open
This past weekend, players from the Southeast and all across the
country converged on Rome, Ga., for the Georgia Junior Open - a
National Showcase Tournament that featured a College Coaches Forum.
Check out action shots from that tournament...
17-Jul-2015
Opelka Captures Wimbledon Boys Final, Zhuk Takes Girls Championship
Reilly Opelka of the United States and Sofya Zhuk of Russia were
unseeded novices at the 2015 Wimbledon Junior Championships, yet their
lack of experience on one of tennis's grandest stages proved no
impediment, with both leaving London with Wimbledon titles.
15-Jul-2015
Jada Hart Commits to the UCLA Bruins for Spring 2016
Once the idea of playing college tennis became a more viable option,
Jada Hart went through a methodical process of searching for the right
program. The 17-year-old Blue Chip recruit from Colton, Calif.,
naturally explored colleges close to those of her Southern California
home in addition to looking at a few top universities on the East
Coast. In the end, the opportunity to play for the UCLA Bruins and
stay in Southern California was too good to pass up.
14-Jul-2015
Introduction to Junior Tennis Rankings
There are many ranking and rating systems in junior tennis - systems that
assign values to players for purposes of comparing them. Each system has
different properties and goals. Each system also has its followers,
and there are arguments about which systems are "best". But
what does "best" mean? This article opens a discussion about
the various ranking systems in American junior tennis today.
13-Jul-2015
Roundtable: How To Spend Your Summer (Part 2)
Unlike many college sports, which feature dedicated off-seasons during
the year, tennis has very few built-in breaks. As such, it can be
tempting for collegiate players to either undertrain or overtrain when
away from their coaches and teammates during the summer - both of which
can set a student-athlete up for failure when the fall tournament
season rolls around. We asked our panel of coaches how they want their
players to approach their time away from school.
10-Jul-2015
Forecasting the USTA Clay Court Nationals
With the USTA Clay Court Nationals starting tomorrow, it's time
to peer into the crystal ball and forecast how the tournament might play
out. Tennis Recruiting makes use of the power ratings behind its
rankings to show predictions for every player in the draws. Check out
the first-ever projections for a junior tournament...
8-Jul-2015
Larry Ellison Puts Plans in Motion to Build a Tennis Academy on Lana'i
Lana'i City, Hawaii is 4,700 miles due west of Orlando, Fla.
While the USTA is constructing a $60 million facility with 100 courts
in the Lake Nona area of Orlando to be the "New Home for American
Tennis", Oracle co-founder and chairman, Larry Ellison, has plans
of his own to make a Hawaiian island best known for pineapples the
next big thing for American tennis.
6-Jul-2015
Kopinski Twins Finish with Illini and Take to the Circuit
Twins playing college tennis is certainly not unusual. The Bryans made
their mark on Stanford and the Thompsons at Notre Dame, just to name
two. What is out of the ordinary is twins playing for the same school,
but not on the same team. Melissa and Tim Kopinski just finished four
strong years on the University of Illinois' women's and men's teams,
respectively. They sat down to talk about how they ended up playing
for the Illini and what's next for them.
5-Jul-2015
Why Tennis is the Overall Best Sport
The sport of tennis has been played since the 19th century. As simple
as the game may seem, with a simple court layout and fundamental
rules, it is in fact one the most complex sports. It is one of the few
sports that thoroughly blends mental and physical aspects and can be
played at a high level for a lifetime. Tennis is the best sport to
pick up during youth and it comes with many benefits throughout life
as well as epic experiences.
3-Jul-2015
June Aces Shine in Paris and on Pro Circuit
School's out for summer and college stars, both current and former,
took advantage of their opportunities in Pro Circuit tournaments last
month. In addition, two teens added their names to the list of junior
slam champions in Paris, while others made their mark on hard courts
across the globe.
1-Jul-2015
Roundtable: How To Spend Your Summer (Part 1)
Unlike many college sports, which feature dedicated off-seasons during
the year, tennis has very few built-in breaks. As such, it can be
tempting for collegiate players to either undertrain or overtrain when
away from their coaches and teammates during the summer - both of which
can set a student-athlete up for failure when the fall tournament
season rolls around. We asked our panel of coaches how they want their
players to approach their time away from school.
29-Jun-2015
Q&A With Former Vanderbilt All-American Chris Groer
In 1996, Chris Groer became the first All-America tennis player in the
history of Vanderbilt University. He was also Vandy's first Academic
All-American in tennis. Tennis remained a constant in his life -
playing on the ATP Tour for a few years and now playing recreationally
at a high level. We caught up with Groer to talk about his college
tennis memories and his thoughts on the college game and its players
today.
28-Jun-2015
Mid-Atlantic College Showcase in Boyds, Maryland
On Saturday, July 11, the Montgomery TennisPlex will host its 2015
College Tennis Showcase, giving USTA Mid-Atlantic high school players
a chance to learn about college tennis and interact with coaches. The
showcase will be held at the Montgomery TennisPlex in Boyds, Maryland,
and will include both information and on-court sessions.
26-Jun-2015
An Interview with Martin Blackman, General Manager USTA Player Development
If there are hats Martin Blackman hasn't worn in his decades
associated with the sport of tennis, they'd be difficult to spot.
Named General Manager of USTA Player Development in April, Blackman
has a resume that includes experience as player, coach and
administrator. Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com talks with Blackman
about a host of topics related to junior and college tennis.
25-Jun-2015
Conversation with Trinity Star Scott Levy
Scott Levy played tennis for Trinity College in Connecticut back in
the early 2000s, where he was a big contributor for the Bantams.
During his senior season in 2004, Levy posted a 14-2 record in singles
and - with partner Jimmy Ames - a 10-3 mark in doubles. Levy graduated
with career marks of 49-27 in singles and 22-9 in doubles with Ames.
Harry Cicma of NBC Sports chatted with Levy about his experiences with
junior and college tennis...
23-Jun-2015
Unofficial Visits - More Important Than You Think
Some high school students take eight, ten, a dozen unofficial visits
as part of their recruiting process. Some people might think
that's a lot of unofficial visits, but it's really not.
Since there is no limit on unofficial visits, why not take full
advantage of your options?
22-Jun-2015
Coppoc Commits to Georgia
Even though she just completed her sophomore year of high school,
Morgan Coppoc has already made her college plans. The 16-year-old
Coppoc, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently gave her verbal commitment to
the University of Georgia. The Blue Chip athlete will graduate high
school in 2017.
19-Jun-2015
2015 Top NCAA Division III Women's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network wraps up its spring recruiting class
rankings with a look at the NCAA Division III women. Today we present
our list of the Top 25 NCAA D-III women's recruiting classes for 2015.
At the top of the list we see the Amherst Lord Jeffs.
17-Jun-2015
Talking with ITA Rookie of the Year Noah Rubin
Wake Forest freshman Noah Rubin was determined to experience college
tennis, even after capturing the Wimbledon boys title and 18s National
title in Kalamazoo prior to starting classes last fall. After a stellar
season that saw him named ITA Rookie of the Year, Rubin has announced
that he will be leaving Wake to focus on a professional career. Colette
Lewis got the chance to talk with Rubin at the NCAA Tournament and then
again briefly after his announcement.
16-Jun-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - June '15
Today we announce the June edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
15-Jun-2015
2015 Top NCAA Division III Men's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network presents its recruiting class
rankings for NCAA Division III conferences. Today we present our Top
25 D-III men's recruiting classes for 2015. At the top of the class?
For the second year in a row, we see the Chicago Maroons.
14-Jun-2015
Northern Indiana Midwest Qualifier Gallery
Last weekend, players from Northern Indiana competed in the Northern
Indiana (NIN) Midwest Qualifier in Fort Wayne. Photography contributor
Michael Hickey of Michael Hickey Photography was onhand to capture
action shots from the event.
12-Jun-2015
2015 Top Mid-Major Women's Classes
The recruiting class rankings just keep on coming. Today, The
Tennis Recruiting Network is proud to present the
Top 25 mid-major women's recruiting classes for 2015. Cresting
at the top of our list is the Pepperdine Waves.
10-Jun-2015
An Interview with ITA Rookie of the Year Brooke Austin
Freshmen, even those who are ranked No. 1 in their senior year by the
Tennis Recruiting Network, often need a semester to adjust to life in
a top Division I program. Not the University of Florida's Brooke
Austin. Proving a quick study, the 19-year-old Indianapolis resident
excelled throughout her freshman year, ending it as the
Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Rookie of the Year.
9-Jun-2015
USTA Gives Position on Use of Periscope and Meerkat Live Streaming Apps
Less than three months after the release of live streaming video apps
in Periscope and Meerkat, sports organizations and networks around the
world are giving their positions and setting policy on how these
convenient but controversial apps can be used by fans and others in
attendance at their events. Rick Limpert discusses their use in the
tennis world.
8-Jun-2015
2015 Top Mid-Major Men's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network continues its series of
recruiting class rankings with the first of our mid-major conference
rankings. Today we present the Top 25 mid-major men's recruiting
classes for 2015... and Beware the Broncos.
5-Jun-2015
May Aces Come from College and Junior Stars
From the clay courts of the United States and Italy, to the hard
courts of Texas, Nigeria, Korea and Portugal, these 15
players - juniors, collegians and former college stars - produced
outstanding performances last month, generating buzz throughout the
tennis world.
3-Jun-2015
Talking About the New Balance HS Tennis Championships
We chat with Evan Zeder, Sports Marketing Manager for Tennis at New
Balance, about the 2015 edition of the New Balance High School Tennis
Championship to be held at Harvard University in July.
2-Jun-2015
Roundtable: Weighing in on the Big XII Cheering/Heckling Rule (Part 2)
This past season, the Big XII implemented a "decorum policy"
that allowed college tennis fans to be a bit rowdier - trying to
create an atmosphere closer to college basketball than to Wimbledon.
This topic has been a lightning rod for discussion, and so we checked
in with our panel of college coaches to get their takes...
1-Jun-2015
Top Women's Classes - 2015 Spring Rankings
Last week, TennisRecruiting.net ranked the men's recruiting classes.
Today, we take a look at the women. TennisRecruiting.net is proud to
present its spring rankings of the Top 25 Women's Recruiting Classes.
A couple of new faces have popped into the Top Ten over the past few
months, but the top of our rankings remains the same - with the
Cardinal again reigning supreme.
28-May-2015
Ryan Shane and Jamie Loeb Claim NCAA Singles Titles
A tournament plagued by rain ended with a tornado warning and two ACC
champions: North Carolina's Jamie Loeb and Virginia's Ryan Shane. In
championship matches started outdoors Monday at the Hurd Tennis Center
on the Baylor University campus and completed indoors, Loeb defeated
Carol Zhao of Stanford 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, while Shane downed Noah Rubin of
Wake Forest 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-1.
27-May-2015
North Georgia Junior Open Gallery
This past weekend, players came to Rome, Ga., for the North
Georgia Junior Open - a National Showcase Tournament. Take a look
at images from the event...
25-May-2015
Top Men's Classes - 2015 Spring Rankings
Today we release our spring rankings of the Top 25 Men's Recruiting
Classes. New commitments - including a number of Blue Chip and
international players - have moved a number of teams up and down.
There have been some movers and shakers: six teams are new to the
rankings since the Winter, two programs have popped into the Top 10,
and a new team is Hunkering Down in the top spot...
22-May-2015
Vanderbilt Women and Virginia Men Claim NCAA Team Titles
The Vanderbilt women had reached the NCAA Division I Team
Championships only once before in the program's history, while the
Virginia men had been to the championship match four of the previous
five years. Yet the disparity in experience made no difference in the
outcomes, with No. 4 seed Vanderbilt defeating defending champion UCLA
4-2 and No. 3 seed Virginia taking down top seed Oklahoma 4-1 at the
Hurd Tennis Center at Baylor University.
20-May-2015
Roundtable: Weighing in on the Big XII Cheering/Heckling Rule (Part 1)
Thanks to a conference committee spearheaded by TCU head men's coach
David Roditi, the Big XII implemented a "decorum policy"
this season allowing fans to cheer during points in an effort to
involve those more accustomed to the raucous atmosphere of a
basketball or football game. There has been a lot of discussion in the
tennis world - find out what several college coaches have to say on
the subject...
18-May-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - May '15
Today we announce the May edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
15-May-2015
DeVine's Back
Jake DeVine was playing the best tennis of his life when he first felt
a twinge in his back in November 2013. That twinge led to a 14-month
layoff for the 17-year-old Californian, but now healthy and competing
again, he will join the Southern Californian Trojans this fall.
13-May-2015
Previewing the NCAA Division III Championships
Hey there, avid tennis fans! It's been a couple of weeks, but I am
back to write another one of our guest articles for the site as we
head into the biggest time of the year. While the D-I Championships
has gotten a lot of love, there has been a ton of excitement in D-III
Tennis as well as we head into the Elite Eight. I'm going to give you
some quick previews of the 16 teams that will be competing - eight on
the men's side and eight on the women's. Let's get started!
12-May-2015
Illini Hold Off Drake for Sweet Sixteen Berth
It was two days filled with rain delays and later than expected
matches. Fortunately, the heavy storms stayed away from the University
of Illinois as the Illini men squeaked by Drake to once again head to
the Round of 16 at the NCAA Division I Team Championships. It will be
their eighth trip in the last 10 years.
11-May-2015
Roundtable: Role of the Parent in College Recruiting (Part 2)
Last month, we asked our panel of coaches to give their best advice to
college players and their parents when it comes to navigating the
recruiting process together. Today we have more coaches addressing
the ideal role for the parent during the recruiting process.
10-May-2015
Images from Sanlando Park in Florida
Our Tennis Recruiting team was in Florida last week, and we took in
some tennis at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs. Check out the
action photos we took at the event...
8-May-2015
NCAA Tournament Roundtable - Part II
The NCAA Division I Tennis Championships start today. The top men's
and women's college tennis programs face off in first-round action across
the country, with all teams competing for tickets to Waco, Texas. and a
spot in the Sweet 16. Check out insights from our college tennis
contributors - and see who they picked as champions.
6-May-2015
Q&A with Utah State's Clancy Shields
At age 28, Clancy Shields is a rising star among men's tennis head
coaches. His Utah State team, which went 9-16 in Shields' first season
last year, finished 2015 with an 18-9 record and a second-place finish
in the Mountain West Conference. It was only ten years ago that
Clancy Shields was literally one of the original blue chips - ranked
No. 3 nationally among high school seniors in TennisRecruiting.net's
first-ever rankings. We caught up with Shields toward the end of the
season...
5-May-2015
USA Qualifies for Finals of ITF Junior Team Championships
Representing your country at the International Tennis Federation's two
world team championships is a highlight of any junior career. The
cheers, the uniforms, the face painting and the pressure of team
competition all were on display last weekend in Boca Raton, Florida,
where the four teams from the US secured places in the 16-team world
finals this summer and fall.
4-May-2015
NCAA Tournament Roundtable - Part I
This weekend, the NCAA Division I Tennis Championships get underway.
64 men's and women's college tennis teams will head to campus venues
around the country to compete in first- and second-round action. The
winners will make up the Sweet 16 and head to Waco, Texas, to compete
for the team title. Today, our college tennis contributors preview
the "Big Dance" of college tennis.
1-May-2015
April Aces Show Eye-Opening Results
Former collegians and teenagers from around the world put up some
eye-opening results last month, laying the ground work for even
greater opportunities this spring and summer as Roland Garros and
Wimbledon loom.
30-Apr-2015
ImRecruitable College Exposure Series
The ImRecruitable College Exposure Series is designed to provide
players with a unique opportunity to train like a college tennis
player on court with top U.S. college coaches and play in competitive
matches. Check out the event schedule for the year - starting with the
College Tennis Exposure Camp on campus at Penn June 19-21.
28-Apr-2015
Reviewing the UAA, and Previewing the NESCAC and SCIAC
Yesterday, our team at Division3Tennis.com brought you a series of
in-depth previews for the upcoming women's conference tournaments, and
it is our pleasure to bring you the men's conference previews and
recaps today. We have a few conferences to cover, so I won't waste any
time on this introduction and get to the meat of this article!
27-Apr-2015
SCIAC/NESCAC Women's Preview and UAA Recap
This is D3NorthEastWomen's, and I'm more than excited to do a joint
article with D3WestWomen's for a preview of the SCIAC and NESCAC
Conference Championships, a recap of the UAA Conference Championships,
as well as a bonus section of a couple of other conference
championships.
24-Apr-2015
Gators Suit Neel
Sixteen-year-old Ingrid Neel moved from Minnesota to Florida three
years ago to train at the IMG Tennis Academy in Bradenton. Ranked No.
2 in the class of 2016, Neel now considers herself a Floridian, a
mindset that led her to verbally commit to the University of Florida
Gators recently.
22-Apr-2015
Division III Roundtable - Late Season Report
While Tennis Recruiting has been running its Signing Week coverage,
there have been a ton of great stories in Division III tennis. We've
brought together four of our dedicated D-III writers (three men's and
one women's) to bring you all the updates on this year's season before
we head into the postseason. I hope you enjoy our 'D-III Roundtable'.
21-Apr-2015
Controlling Emotions in Tennis: Maximizing the 20-Second Rule
One of the most common mental struggles I see with junior tennis
players is the inability to control emotions. When emotions are
negative they directly affect a player's focus and match performance.
Patrick Alban of SPMI describes a technique junior tennis players can
use to keep their emotions in check.
20-Apr-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - April '15
Today we announce the April edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
18-Apr-2015
Fritz, Liu Win ITF Championships at Easter Bowl
Fantastic weather and unlikely comebacks made the 2015 Asics Easter
Bowl a tournament to remember last week, with the famous Indian Wells
Tennis Garden hosting both the ITF Grade B1 competition and the later
stages of the USTA 12s, 14s, and 16s championships.
17-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: State Champion Otero Picks Penn State
Five-star senior Oliver Otero has been a major contributor to high
school championship teams in two states. As a freshman in
Winston-Salem, Otero competed for the Reynolds Demons when they won the
2012 North Carolina state crown - and, after moving to Coconut Grove,
Fla., he helped the Coral Gables Senior HS Cavaliers win a championship
in Florida. Otero will bring that track record to State College, Pa.,
next year when he competes for the Penn State Nittany Lions.
17-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Urbinati Announces Commitment to Boston College
Deciding on a college can be a difficult and stressful process, as
senior 5-Star Recruit Jacqueline Urbinati has learned when she had
several great schools on her list. But after taking one look at the
campus at Boston College, meeting the coaches and seeing a couple
familiar faces on the team, Urbinati was convinced, and she has
announced her commitment to the Eagles team beginning this fall.
16-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Role of the Parent in College Recruiting
The college tennis recruiting process can be tough to navigate for the
student-athlete, but it's also new territory for many parents. It can
often be difficult to determine where to offer guidance and when to
let the child take the wheel. While parents undoubtedly want the best
for their children, it's important that they allow the coach/player
relationship a chance to grow. We asked our panel of college coaches
about the role of the parent in recruiting...
16-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Illinois State Champ Eddie Grabill to Dartmouth
Five-star senior Eddie Grabill is a coach's dream - he is an excellent
individual player, but also the consummate team player. Grabill helped
his high school win the Illinois state championships, including his
doubles title in 2013 and the singles title in 2014. In December 2014
Grabill committed to play for Dartmouth College in Hanover, New
Hampshire.
15-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Alexis Nelson from Twin Cities Heads West
With many tennis players committing early, Blue Chip junior Alexis
Nelson got an early jump on the college recruiting game. Her junior
year not quite over, Nelson has made a verbal commitment to play for
the University of California, Berkeley, in Fall 2016.
15-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Alexander Keyser Commits to Columbia
At the start of his college search, Alexander Keyser did not have
Columbia University. on the list of schools he considered attending.
By the end, it was his top choice. The San Ramon Valley High junior
has verbally committed to play for the Lions.
15-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Zalewski Commits to the Demon Deacons
Joanna Zalewski didn't start playing tennis until she was 11. Until
then, her favorite sport was fencing. She played her first tennis
tournament at 12, and she won it. Zalewski is coached primarily by her
parents, who never played much tennis themselves, and attends a public
school. That is not the usual path for a Top-20 recruit, but Zalewski
has made it work. Today, Zalewski kicks off our Signing Day Coverage
by announcing her college choice...
14-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Recruiting Strategy and Tips for Unsigned Seniors
Signing Week is underway, and it is an exciting time for players and
their families who are making college commitments. But what happens
when you don't have a college secured? There is no reason to panic. The
signing period that starts this week runs through August, and hundreds
more players will commit during this time. You just need to know how to
best proceed...
14-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: National Roundup
Signing Week is now underway, and tomorrow seniors can start signing
their National Letters of Intent. Today, we check in with boys and
girls from across the country who are heading to a variety of schools.
Find out how they came to their decisions... in our National Roundup.
13-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Pomona Power - Kim Signs with Sagehens
There were no fancy academies or marathon practices. There were no
10-and-under tournaments or tennis camps. Instead, Joy Kim of Van
Nuys, Calif., took a slow and steady approach on her road to a college
tennis career. Her story culminated during her junior year when -
after making eight unofficial trips to various schools - she decided
on Pomona College in nearby Claremont.
13-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Signing Week Arrives
The second week of April is here - and Signing Week has finally
arrived! We start our coverage of Spring Signing Week '15 with a look
at the uncommitted boys and girls from the top 100. We update you on
a few developments from the past few weeks, and we note that some of
these top recruits plan to announce their college choices this week in
our coverage.
10-Apr-2015
Blumberg, Kenin Take ISC Grade 1 Titles; Crawford, Subhash Claim 16s Championships
A week of beautiful Southern California weather ended on a high note
for four US players, who left the Stubhub Center in Carson with
International Spring Championship titles. Top seed William Blumberg
and No. 2 seed Sonya Kenin earned their first ITF Grade 1 titles with
victories over international opponents, while Oliver Crawford and
Natasha Subhash took the 16s singles championships in all-American
finals.
9-Apr-2015
Countdown: SFA Interviews Virginia Tech Coach Thompson
In his 17th season as the Virginia Tech Men's Tennis Coach, Jim
Thompson has done his fair share of recruiting. He sat down with SFA
to discuss different aspects of the recruiting process and what he
looks for in potential recruits.
8-Apr-2015
Countdown: Jacqueline Carr Commits to the Herd
Much of America learned about Huntington, W.Va., and its most
prominent university via the movie "We Are Marshall." Jacqueline
"Jackie" Carr has decided to experience it fully. Carr, a Five-Star
recruit from Rogers, Ark., committed to the Thundering Herd last fall.
7-Apr-2015
Countdown: Morgan Stone Heads to Santa Clara
Going to University of Georgia Bulldog Tennis Camp for the first time
at age nine was the catalyst behind Morgan Stone's realization that he
wanted to play college tennis one day. Even though he was born and
raised in Atlanta, his family has many California connections. Theose
connections helped bring Stone to the West Coast - he has committed to
play college tennis at Santa Clara University.
6-Apr-2015
Countdown: Three Recruiting Pitfalls to Avoid
It is that time of the recruiting process again where the majority of
student athletes are about to make the decision on what university to
attend. This time can be filled with anxiety involving recruiting
visit experiences, unexpected scholarship shortfalls, and admission
uncertainties. So - what are the three common recruiting pitfalls that
students encounter year in and year out? Read to find out...
3-Apr-2015
March Aces Feature Junior Champions
Although the college dual match season is in full swing, most of the
March highlights come courtesy of the juniors. Two 14-year-olds
dazzled with their performances, while those just a few years older
also found success on among their peers and their elders.
2-Apr-2015
Countdown: Toledo Commits to Iowa State
It didn't take long for Claudia Toledo to settle on a college
destination. She decided to attend Iowa State University after just
one visit in early November. She connected with the coaches -
Armando Espinosa and Chris Williams - and loved the what the school
and tennis program have to offer.
1-Apr-2015
Countdown: Yangeng Jiang Continues Journey at Bowdoin
Few tennis players in the class of 2015 have traveled a longer road to
becoming a four-star recruit than Yangeng Jiang of Pennington, N.J.
The story of Yangeng - who recently committed to academically renowned
Division III school Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine - begins in
his native China, where he was a promising junior tennis player in a
country that is only recently making an impact on the sport worldwide.
31-Mar-2015
Countdown: Coach Roundtable on College Transfers (Part 2)
Last month, we asked our panel of college coaches about transferring.
Why do so many student athletes transfer from one school to another -
or quit their sports altogether? In today's roundtable article, more
college coaches weigh in with their thoughts...
30-Mar-2015
Gamma Partners with Tennis Recruiting Network on Countdown to Signing Day
GAMMA Sports (GAMMA) is continuing its sponsorship of Tennis
Recruiting Network by becoming the title sponsor of "Countdown to
Signing Day" and "Signing Week" featured content areas.
30-Mar-2015
Countdown: Previewing the Top 100 Boys
Last week, we checked in with the girls. Today, the top boys in the
senior class update us on their college recruiting. Find out where
the Top 100 boys are leaning, and how many of them have already made
their decisions.
28-Mar-2015
Countdown: Conversation with Williams Champ Urban
It's been a few years since Lex Urban walked the campus of Williams
College in Massachusetts. Back in the early 2000s, Urban served as
captain of the Ephs Men's Tennis Team that won the NCAA Division III
National Championship in both 2001 and 2002. After graduating, Urban
spent a year doing community service in AmeriCorps - and he now is a
practicing lawyer in Washington, DC. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports chatted
with Urban about all things college tennis...
27-Mar-2015
Countdown: Recruiting - the D-III Perspective
As the tennis season kicks into high gear, the team at
Division3Tennis.com goes off the court to bring you inside the minds
of two prominent D-III coaches. The coaches comment on coaching, recruiting, and D-III tennis in general. Enjoy!
26-Mar-2015
Countdown: Reto Heads to Melbourne and Florida Tech
Alahna Reto of Plano, Texas, has signed the National Letter of Intent
with Florida Tech, an NCAA Division II institution. Reto, a four-star
recruit, had a number of reasons for wanting to become a member of the
Panthers women's tennis team next fall. In addition to wanting to make
an impact on the college tennis world, the 5-foot-7 right-hander also
likes the biomedical engineering program.
25-Mar-2015
Countdown: Sameer Kumar Heads to the Cardinal
Navigating the college recruiting process can be a confusing endeavor
for even the most well-informed families. Sameer Kumar was fortunate
enough to have a trial run with his older brother, Mihir, who plays
for Northwestern. The younger Kumar applied the lessons he learned in
his own decision process, and the Carmel, Indiana, resident decided on
Stanford over an impressive of other schools.
24-Mar-2015
ITF International Spring Championships Mark Decade of Excellence
Many a top professional player has found success on the hard courts of
the International Tennis Federation Grade 1 International Spring
Championships, which begin next week at the StubHub Center in Carson,
California. Colette Lewis talks with tournament director John
Lansville and others about the past decade since the event has been
held in California.
23-Mar-2015
Countdown: Previewing the Top 100 Girls
Many of the top girls committed during Fall Signing Week last November,
but a number of top targets were still available. We talked with many
recruits in the Top 100 to find out where they are in their decision
process. Some have decided, some have narrowed their lists, and many
are still wide open.
21-Mar-2015
Former College Stars, Juniors Take BNP Paribas Open Challenge
It's one of the longest of longshots in tennis. Winning six or seven
straight matches to reach just the qualifying stage of an ATP or WTA
tennis event is considered a longshot. Thousands now try it each
summer with the USTA's U.S. Open National Playoffs, and a couple
hundred more try it each year in Indian Wells, Calif., as the people
behind the BNP Paribas Open host the BNP Paribas Open Challenge.
Several junior and college stars are among them.
20-Mar-2015
Countdown: Rutledge Goes East to Join Demon Deacons
Texan Eric Rutledge's two major choices - which sport and which
college - came several years apart, with his decision to sign with
Wake Forest the easier of the two.
19-Mar-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - March '15
Today we announce the March edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
18-Mar-2015
Countdown: Allie Sanford Commits to the Rebels
Come this fall, Allie Sanford of Phoenix, Ariz., will trade cacti for
magnolias and azaleas - as she becomes a member of Coach Mark Beyers'
Ole Miss Women's tennis team. For Sanford, it's a relief knowing she is going to her top choice
17-Mar-2015
Angels and Patriots Win Titles at Wet USTA Spring Team Championships
Declaring Mother Nature the winner at the second annual USTA Spring
Team Championships in Mobile, Alabama would be appropriate, as rain
disrupted play on all four days of competition, requiring shortened
formats throughout. But when a steady rain ended play on the final
day, two teams - the Angels and the Patriots - did claim their gold balls.
16-Mar-2015
Countdown: Chris Jones Heads East to Tufts
18-year-old Chris Jones embraces competition on the tennis court. Now
a senior at Greenhill School in the Dallas suburb of Addison, Jones
has emerged as a top junior player in Texas, and the 3-star recruit is
looking forward to continuing his tennis career as a collegian this
coming fall at Tufts University.
14-Mar-2015
Countdown: Erica Oosterhout Commits to the Crimson
As a young child exploring different sports, Erica Oosterhout was
confident she would play one in college. The challenging part would be
choosing the sport and the university. Eventually, tennis became
the sport Oosterhout embraced exclusively. Not long after that college
programs began taking notice and one of those programs, Harvard,
became the university she would choose.
13-Mar-2015
Countdown to Signing Day
It's that time of year... Signing Day is approaching. April 15 is
the first day of the Spring Signing Period - when seniors from around
the nation can sign on to play college tennis at Division I or
Division II schools. And once again, The Tennis Recruiting Network
and GAMMA are ready with the Countdown to Signing Day.
11-Mar-2015
Checking in with Former USC Standout Amanda Fink
It's been 10 years since Amanda Fink was a Blue Chip senior. Fink went
on to be a two-time All-American at USC and competed
professionally for almost three years - rising into the Top 300 in the
world. TennisRecruiting.net recently caught up with Fink, who is now a
teaching pro, and she lets us in on the most under-utilized training
strategy for junior players.
10-Mar-2015
Is a Post-Graduate Year a Good Idea for Me?
There are many reasons why prospective college tennis players, in
partnership with their parents, might consider taking an extra year
before starting college. A gap year can certainly provide extra time
to improve academic standing, physical or emotional maturity, and/or
level of play with the hope of providing more options. But what are
the implications? And what should you do with that year? Knowing the
rules and planning ahead is critical in making a sensible decision.
9-Mar-2015
College Coaches Forum
Some junior tennis tournaments include college forums
where junior tennis players and their parents can learn about the
college recruiting process. One such forum took place at the USTA
Southern Sectionals in Rome, Ga., earlier this year. Get some of the
tips from that forum - and find out what they are all about...
6-Mar-2015
Indoor Champions Headline February Aces
With four college team indoor championships on the February schedule,
there was no shortage of notable performances at the collegiate level.
But another group of much younger players also stepped into the
spotlight in venues across five continents.
5-Mar-2015
Trinity, Hopkins Take Titles
It's been a whirlwind the past two weeks with both the Men's and
Women's Indoor Nationals being completed in the Midwest. This article
will go through some details regarding the tournament, but I do think
this was the best Men's Indoors to date, and the Women's Indoors
provided some amazing matches as well. Without further ado, let's get
into the details behind both awesome weekends just in case you missed
them!
4-Mar-2015
Kevakian Commits to the Columbia Lions
For five years Andrea Kevakian managed to keep up her blue chip status
while successfully completing the rigorous academic requirements of
Flintridge Preparatory School. There was little hesitation on her part
when she was offered the opportunity to play for Columbia University,
where the Californian will pursue an even more demanding academic and
athletic schedule in Fall 2015.
3-Mar-2015
Transitioning to College with Chris Eubanks
Freshman Chris Eubanks grew up in Atlanta where he is now attending
Georgia Tech. Lisa Stone of ParentingAces.com spoke with him about
the challenges of transitioning from junior tennis to Division I
college tennis.
28-Feb-2015
Talking with Michael Joyce - Part 2
Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com got the chance to talk with former
tennis player and now coach Michael Joyce earlier this month in
Midland, Michigan at the $100,000 Dow Corning Tennis Classic. This
is Part 2 of their conversation.
27-Feb-2015
Talking with Michael Joyce - Part 1
Michael Joyce is best known to tennis fans now as the former coach of
five-time slam champion Maria Sharapova. Prior to his coaching stint
with Sharapova however, the 42-year-old Southern Californian had his
own distinguished career, winning the USTA Boys 18s Nationals in 1991
and reaching an ATP career-high ranking of 64 five years later.
Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com got the chance to talk with Joyce about
about his years with Sharapova, his coaching philosophy, his current
work at a tennis academy, and much more...
25-Feb-2015
ITA D-III Women's National Indoors Preview
It is my pleasure to bring to you a preview of the
2015 ITA Division III National Women's Team Indoor Championships.
The ITA Women's Indoor Championships is a fairly new event, with the
first tournament taking place in 2009. The 2015 event is taking
place in Indiana and will be hosted by DePauw. Let's take a look
at the field for the tournament that gets underway this weekend...
24-Feb-2015
A Conversation with Caroline Dolehide
Sixteen-year-old Caroline Dolehide is hardly unknown to junior tennis
fans in the United States. The Hinsdale, Illinois, resident has been
in the top six of the Tennis Recruiting Network's 2017 class since
entering the rankings as a 6th-grader. But her stock went up on the
international scene after reaching the semifinals of the US Open
Juniors. Colette Lewis caught up with Dolehide after her wildcard
appearance in Midland.
23-Feb-2015
Coach Roundtable: Transfers in College Tennis (Part 1)
Each year, a significant number of college tennis players quit tennis
before they have exhausted their eligibility - or transfer from one
school to another. We put the question to our panel of college
coaches: Why is the case? What can be done to minimize the chances of
giving up on a program - and what should high school players do to
ensure a good fit?
20-Feb-2015
Oklahoma Wins ITA Men's Indoors With Victory Over USC
Oklahoma sophomore Alex Ghilea was the man of the hour at the ITA
Division I National Men's Team Indoor Championship. Ghilea, from
Neamt, Romania, clinched the Sooners' victories in the semifinals and
championship matches with comeback wins at No. 5 singles at Midtown
Athletic Club in Chicago, Ill. Second-ranked Oklahoma defeated No. 11
Baylor 4-2 in the semifinals before knocking off the USC Trojans by
the same score to take the title.
18-Feb-2015
Daavettila Chooses Carolina Blue
Her homework complete, blue chip Sara Daavettila embarked on a road
trip to explore several schools she was interested in attending. The
journey proved worthwhile when the Williamston, Michigan, high school
junior stepped onto North Carolina's Chapel Hill campus, sensing
immediately it was the place for her.
17-Feb-2015
ITA D-III Men's National Indoors Preview
While the Division I National Indoors wrapped up yesterday, there is
plenty more great tennis to follow as Gustavus Adolphus hosts the
Division III National Indoor Tournament this upcoming weekend. Eight
teams that have all played at Indoor Nationals previously are
featured, making this a truly loaded Indoors field. Take a look at
what is in store for the D-III men...
16-Feb-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - February '15
Today we announce the February edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
13-Feb-2015
Catching Up with Gator Great Lauren Embree
Lauren Embree had one of the most successful collegiate careers in
Florida history, leading the Gators to back-to-back NCAA titles in
2011 and 2012. Now living in Santa Monica, Embree has begun the year
on the USTA Pro Circuit, where she has competed in four tournaments in
the past month. At the $100,000 Dow Corning Tennis Classic in Midland, Mich.,
last week, I spoke with her about her return from injury, what she
misses about college tennis, and her goals for 2015 and beyond.
13-Feb-2015
PlaySight to Live Stream the ITA Division I National Men's Team Indoor Championship
With a long history dating back to 1973, the National Team Indoor
Championship hosts the top 16 teams in the country, all of whom
qualified for the event by beating other top ranked teams in two
qualifying rounds. PlaySight will be live streaming the event from
February 13 - 16. Find out more here...
11-Feb-2015
The Freshman 35 - Freshmen to Watch in D-III Tennis
In Division III tennis, freshmen play a key part in a team's success.
Just last year, four freshmen were named to our Division III All-NCAA
Men's Teams. On the women's side, freshmen took the year by storm -
holding down tons of roster spots across the Top 5 teams in the
country. With freshman recruits making such a big impact, let's take a
look at 35 players new to D-III this year who might influence the 2015
season.
10-Feb-2015
Tar Heels Win Second ITA Indoor Title in Three Years
As the University of North Carolina mourns the death of iconic
basketball coach Dean Smith, the UNC women's tennis team gave Tar Heel
fans something to savor. UNC won the ITA National Team Indoor
Championships' trophy for the second time in three years, defeating
Georgia 4-1 Monday, Feb. 9, in a contest of fluctuating momentum at
Boar's Head Sports Club.
9-Feb-2015
Blue Devils Get Another Blue Chip
Getting injured is no blessing for a sophomore tennis player looking to
be recruited by a major Division I tennis program, but Nick Stachowiak
of Cary, N.C., did the best he could to rebound from a back injury.
Stachowiak worked hard for several months on strength and agility
while he recovered. Stachowiak took unofficial visits to several
schools in the Southeast, but nearby Duke University was always at the
top of his list. He committed the Blue Devils in December.
6-Feb-2015
January Aces Features Teens Winning Titles
The year's first major always grabs the headlines, with two juniors
adding their names to the lists of grand slam champions. But while
most eyes were focused on Melbourne, a dozen teenagers captured
important titles in Florida, Hawaii, Great Britain, France and Central
and South America.
4-Feb-2015
Inside College Tennis with Tony Minnis Returns
This weekend, Inside College Tennis with Tony Minnis returns with the
first of three all-new episodes on The Tennis Channel. The television
program, which highlights college tennis programs around the country
of all shapes and sizes, should appeal to the entire
TennisRecruiting.net community. We caught up with host Tony Minnis to
learn what is coming...
3-Feb-2015
Conversation with Former Arkansas Standout Aleksey Bubis
Aleksey Bubis was a top junior tennis player from Palm Harbor,
Florida, in the late 1990s - making the rounds on the USTA Junior
National Circuit. Bubis went on to play college tennis at the
University of Arkansas, where he starred from 1999 to 2003 - still
appearing the the Razorback Record Book for his 28-10 mark
during the 2000-01 season. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports got the chance
to catch up with Bubis at a recent tennis event.
2-Feb-2015
Top Women's Classes - 2015 Winter Rankings
Spring Signing Day is a little over two months away, and coaches are
busy locking up their recruits. A number of highly-ranked seniors
have already made their college choices - they have made verbal
commitments or signed during the Fall Signing Period. Find out which
women's teams are looking good at this point - as The Tennis Recruiting
Network proudly presents the Top 25 Women's College Tennis
Recruiting Classes of 2015.
29-Jan-2015
Photos from the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Atlanta
120 teams took to the courts last week for the ITA Kickoff Weekend. One
of the most hotly-contested regionals was in Atlanta, Ga., where the
hometown Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets were upended by the Oklahoma State
Cowgirls. Our photographers were on hand for the event - check out these
images.
28-Jan-2015
Oklahoma State Women down Georgia Tech 4-3 in ITA Kickoff
Oklahoma State Coach Chris Young usually counts on his No. 19 ranked
Cowgirls when it comes to the doubles point. But after dropping the
point against the host and No. 18 Georgia Tech at the ITA Kickoff
Weekend in Atlanta, he had to challenge his players. His team
responded - coming back to defeat the Yellow Jackets 4-3 with the
deciding point coming from a come-from-behind victory at No. 6
singles.
27-Jan-2015
Columbia Upsets Notre Dame, 4-2, in ITA Kickoff Weekend
The University of Notre Dame men's tennis team knew they would face
stiff competition as they prepared to host the ITA Kickoff Weekend;
what they couldn't have foreseen was a come-from behind upset victory
by another top-16 team. Sunday afternoon, in a match that lasted
almost four full hours, the Irish were toppled by Columbia, 4-2, who
advanced to the ITA Indoor Championships in February with the win.
27-Jan-2015
Columbia Lions 2015 Winter Gallery
The Columbia Lions defeated Notre Dame, 4-2, in the ITA Kickoff Weekend
to advance to the ITA Indoor Championships in Chicago next month. Check
out images from a recent Lions match.
26-Jan-2015
Top Men's Classes - 2015 Winter Rankings
The end of January is at the midway point between the fall and spring
signing periods. Many high school seniors made formal commitments in
November, and lots more are making verbal commitments every week as we
move towards the spring. With more than 850 commitments, there is no
time like the present to check up on how the programs are doing.
Today, the Tennis Recruiting Network is proud to bring you the Top 25
Men's College Tennis Recruiting Classes.
25-Jan-2015
USTA Southern Level 1 Winter Photo Gallery
Many USTA sections held major events over the Martin Luther King
weekend. USTA Southern held four separate championships, and our
photographers were at the USTA Southern L1 Winter BG16 Championships
held in Rome, Ga. Take a look at photos we captured at the event.
23-Jan-2015
Xu, Safiullin Target Australian Junior Titles
Eight different players from five countries claimed junior slam titles
last year, with a similar pattern expected in 2015 as the Australian
Open junior championships kick off this weekend in Melbourne.
21-Jan-2015
Bruins Reel In Top Junior Ena Shibahara
Ena Shibahara looked around in complete amazement. She was invited to
hit on stadium court at the Los Angeles Tennis Center on UCLA's campus
during an ATP tournament. Shibahara soaked in the surroundings and
decided she wanted to play there again in the future. Shibahara's
dream school became a reality a few weeks ago when the blue-chip
recruit verbally committed to play for the Bruins.
20-Jan-2015
Racquet Customization a Growing Trend in Junior and College Tennis
As if tennis parents, junior and college tennis players didn't have
enough expense in buying frames, strings, shoes and high tech apparel,
many are choosing to shell out even more cash to have their racquets
customized to preferred specifications.
19-Jan-2015
Prince Hot 100 List - January '15
Today we announce the January edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
