29-Sep-2008
Top Prospects for '08-'09 Season
Three Star Recruit? Or Four Star? You can find out right now,
as The Tennis Recruiting Network proudly presents the 2008-09 edition
of Top Prospects.
26-Sep-2008
How Thin is Too Thin for a Competitive Female Athlete?
Recently, I have seen an increase in referrals concerning weight
management and diet. It may come as a surprise to parents that food
restriction and injuries are often related, and result from a
combination of factors known as the Female Athlete Triad.
25-Sep-2008
Zsilinszka's Vietnam Experience
Reka Zsilinszka, a sophomore on the Duke tennis team, spent three
weeks this summer in Vietnam, as an ambassador for the newly created
Coach For College Program. Today, Zsilinszka provides this photo
album of her experience there.
23-Sep-2008
USTA Announces One-Day Showdowns
The USTA is teaming with the ITA to promote One-Day Showdowns on
college campuses throughout the United States. One-day Showdowns are
one-day, short-format tournaments open to juniors, college players,
professionals, and adults.
22-Sep-2008
Conversation with Gordie Ernst
Ross Greenstein, CEO of Scholarship For Athletes, will be interviewing
men's and women's tennis coaches from schools all across the country.
In this first installment, Ross sits down with Gordie Ernst, men's and
women's tennis coach at Georgetown University.
19-Sep-2008
Harry's Quick Take on College Tennis
The leaves here in New England are beginning to change to the colors
of the fall. The students are beginning to fill the streets around my
homes of College Hill in Providence, Rhode Island and Northern New
Jersey. That can only mean one thing... the NCAA Fall season is about
to arrive!
15-Sep-2008
Prince Hot 100 List - September
Today we release 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.
12-Sep-2008
Review Records for 2008-09 Top Prospects
TennisRecruiting.net has been making its lists and checking them
twice. The Top Prospects lists, that is. We have been hard at work
calculating the Blue Chips, Five Stars, Four Stars, and so on. Players
and parents - make sure that your tournament record is accurate. Find out
how...
11-Sep-2008
Americans Thrive in New York
The US Open Junior Championships proved to be a coming out party for
the two Americans finalists, with Coco Vandeweghe capturing the title
with a 7-6(3), 6-1 victory over Gabriela Paz of Venezuela and Devin
Britton reaching the end of his magical run, suffering a 6-4, 6-3
defeat to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov.
8-Sep-2008
When Do I Take the Split Step?
Nick Bollettieri takes a look at the serve-and-volley, identifying
what the best players do to get to the net effectively.
4-Sep-2008
August Aces
August is the month when the U.S. Open gets the country's sports fans
talking tennis. It's also the month when USTA national champions are
crowned, and the aces below, whether 12 or 18 years old, are all
hoping to someday make their names on the blue courts of the USTA
Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
1-Sep-2008
Welcome, Class of 2015!
It's the start of the 2008-09 academic year, and
TennisRecruiting.net is excited to welcome the new sixth-graders
in the Class of 2015 to the weekly TennisRecruiting.net rankings. Starting
this week, we feature the new sixth-graders in anticipation of their
first ratings just one month from now.
29-Aug-2008
Best Wishes, Class of 2008
Celebrations for graduating seniors took place back in June, but today
is the day that the Tennis Recruiting Network bids adieu to the Class
of 2008. This week's rankings are our final edition for the 2007-08
year - and the final rankings for the outgoing Class of 2008.
28-Aug-2008
US Open Junior Preview
The year's final Junior Grand Slam has no Rafael Nadal looming over
the field, but in the boys event, all three 2008 major winners will be
in Flushing Meadows, hoping to secure a second title and front-runner
status for the honor of finishing the year as the ITF Junior World
Champion.
25-Aug-2008
Playing Not To Lose: Recipe for Disaster
In this ultra-competitive world of athletics, one of the more critical
psychological myths to dispel is: Playing Not to Lose. What often
seems like a safe and sound way to prepare an athlete for success is
more often a recipe for disastrous disappointment. Here's why...
22-Aug-2008
Market Value and its Importance in Tennis Recruiting
In recruiting, knowing your market value means knowing exactly where
you stand in the eyes of the coaches at the schools you are
considering. All coaches recruit more players than they have spots
available, so knowing how you compare to the competition is essential.
18-Aug-2008
Prince Hot 100 List - August
Today we release 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-2008
Top-seeded Brodsky Takes USTA Girls 18s Title
With few upsets, injuries, and withdrawals, this year's competition at
the Girls' 18 National Championships proved to have one of the
strongest depths of field USTA has seen in a while. Top-seeded
Gail Brodsky won the title with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Coco
Vandeweghe.
15-Aug-2008
Papa on the Summit of the Boys' 12s
The city of Edmond, Oklahoma was originally named Summit because it
lies at the highest point on the once-critical Santa Fe railroad line.
That old name seems appropriate today - Edmond's Spencer Papa reached
the highest point in junior tennis last week when he won two gold
balls - both singles and doubles - in the USTA Boys' 12 Nationals in
North Little Rock, Arkansas.
14-Aug-2008
Krajicek and Cox Head to New York with Kalamazoo Titles
For Boys 18s champion Austin Krajicek, a semester of college tennis
played an important role in preparing for the physical and mental
rigors of Kalamazoo. For 16s champion Jordan Cox, a change in attitude
between the quarterfinals and the semifinals resulted in an impressive
ability to regroup when adversity struck.
13-Aug-2008
Girls 16s Wrap-up
The word of the week at the USTA Girls 16s Nationals in San Diego was
upset. The semifinals only featured one of the top four seeds, and
the finals saw #12 seed Lauren Davis defeat #11 Monica Turewicz by a
score of 6-2, 6-1.
12-Aug-2008
USTA Boys 14 Nationals Championships Wrap-up
The web site of John Richmond's hometown of Pawleys Island displays a
motto for the South Carolina resort - "Arrogantly Shabby." But
Richmond's performance last week was neither arrogant nor shabby at
San Antonio's McFarlin Tennis Center. The left-hander captured the
singles title of the USTA Boys 14 National Championships with a
convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory over Reo Asami of Irvine, Calif.
11-Aug-2008
Championship Week Roundup
Last week, the best American juniors were competing for gold balls at
the USTA National Championships all across the country. National
titles were awarded for both boys and girls in all four age divisions.
TennisRecruiting.net announces its Championship Week coverage - with
photo galleries and articles that celebrate the best of the best in
junior tennis.
8-Aug-2008
Training Talk with Paul Pisani
What do Ashley Harkleroad, Amer Delic, Robby Ginepri, Sam Querrey, and
Justin Gimelstob have in common? They all have worked with fitness
trainer Paul Pisani. Pisani has developed a niche working with
up-and-coming American players, helping them reach their fitness and
tennis potential. Marc Lucero chatted with Pisani about his strategies
and experiences.
7-Aug-2008
July Aces
The aces of July are many, from the Wimbledon Junior winners to
Challenger victors, with the eight Clay Court champions and other Pro
Circuit and Tour standouts in between.
4-Aug-2008
Max Mirnyi - A Tall Tale of Success
Max Mirnyi has been training at the Academy for seventeen years, and
he's left a footprint here at least the size of our 300 acres. The
6'5" Belarusian has been such a fixture here at the Academy for so
long that he is considered family. Young players all look up to him
(literally and figuratively) when he shows up to practice. Veteran
players, coaches, staff, all respect and admire his talents and his
character. But, I can remember when Max wasn't so tall or
recognizable.
1-Aug-2008
Strong Field Heads to Berkeley for the Girls' 18 Nationals
For the second consecutive year, The Berkeley Tennis Club invites 192
of the nation's best teenage tennis players to compete for the title
of Girls' 18 National Hard Court Champion. This year, the seeds are
not only at the top of the USTA rankings - several of them also have
Top-500 Sony Ericsson WTA rankings.
31-Jul-2008
Kalamazoo Welcomes Stellar Field for 2008 National Championships
Texans Ryan Harrison and Harry Fowler hope to follow in the footsteps
of last year's No. 1 seeds Michael McClune and Tennys Sandgren in
fighting off all challengers for titles at the USTA Boys 18 and 16
National Championships, which begin tomorrow in Kalamazoo, Mich.
28-Jul-2008
Three Steps to Tennis Success
The competitive level of college tennis in the United States is
extremely high, and recruiting process has become ultra-competitive.
What does that mean for you? Simple. Whether you're ranked top ten or
top 1000, you're going to need a game plan to find the school that
will be the best fit for you. Here are three questions you should ask
to help you navigate the recruiting process and choose a school that
is the best fit for you academically, socially, and athletically.
25-Jul-2008
King, Pasha Take Clay Titles in Delray Beach
Evan King was seeded #6 in the Boys 18s. In the 16s, Nathan Pasha was
not seeded at all. Both boys took home titles from the USTA Clay Court
Championships in Delray Beach, Fla. last week.
24-Jul-2008
Embree Downs Capra for Clay Court Title
Lauren Embree was in a position many players would envy, having
reached the finals of the 2007 Clay Courts, the 2008 Spring
Championships and 2008 Easter Bowl. But the 17-year-old from Marco
Island, Fla. had settled for second place until Sunday, when she
defeated top seed Beatrice Capra 6-4, 6-2 to claim the USTA Girls 18s
Clay Court Championship at the Racquet Club of Memphis.
23-Jul-2008
Niu victorious in surprise final at the Girls 16 Clays
Playing a long way from her home in Portland, Ore., ninth-seeded
Belinda Niu shocked herself by sliding to seven victories in seven
days to gain the crown at steamy Virginia Beach Tennis and Country
Club. She capped her stay with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over an even more
surprising finalist, co-17th seed Nicole Melichar of Stuart, Fla., in
a matchup of 14-year-olds.
21-Jul-2008
Panel Discussion: Challenging Players (Part 1)
College tennis teams are composed of individuals with different
ability levels. Some players may have professional tennis
aspirations, others walk on to the program, and there are obviously
levels in between. We asked several college coaches: "What do college
coaches do to challenge and develop players of different abilities?"
17-Jul-2008
Duke Tennis Players Travel to Vietnam to Assist in Providing Sports Education Opportunities
Duke's Reka Zsilinszka and Amanda Granson's summer is revolving around
a memorable adventure - a trek to Vietnam as pioneers of the newly
organized Coach for College program.
14-Jul-2008
Prince Hot 100 List - July
Today we release 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.
12-Jul-2008
USTA Southwest Wins Zonals in Alabama
USTA Southwest juniors put in one of the Section's best team results
in quite awhile recently, winning the USTA Boys/Girls 14 Southwest
Zone Team Championships at the Westgate Tennis Center in Dothan, Ala.,
July 6-10.
7-Jul-2008
Playing For Time - The Importance Of Expectations For Recruits
When trying to find a college that will be a perfect fit, there are
many academic, social, and athletic factors that must be considered.
One of the most important factors is playing time. Playing time can
make - or break - your collegiate tennis career. The goal is to know
what you want and what to expect from your program.
5-Jul-2008
Southwest Juniors at the USTA National Opens
Phoenix-area juniors Alexandra Letzt, Garret Dunn, and Andy Nguyen
recently picked up titles from USTA National Open events held the week
of June 28-July 2. Letzt won the Girls 12 singles crown in Omaha,
Neb., and Dunn and Nguyen paired up to win the Boys' 18's doubles
crown in Denver, Colo.
4-Jul-2008
'Boom Boom' Becker: A Serve Built on Confidence
I've been bombarded with questions about service technique, asked to
analyze serve motions down to the quiver of a single cell, begged
relentlessly for that "miracle" tip that will send the ball 140mph
over the net and in the corner of the service box - No matter what the
magazines print in bold on their covers, no such miracle exists. A
good serve is a confident serve, and confidence is the payoff of
having a whole lot of self-discipline.
3-Jul-2008
June Aces
June marks the transition from clay to grass for the sport's top
players, but the dozen junior and college players that are last
month's aces have also displayed their prowess on those natural, and
very different surfaces.
30-Jun-2008
Recruiting Terms and Calendar for 2008-09
Tomorrow - July 1st - marks the beginning of another recruiting
year. Once again, recruiting expert Dede Allen reviews important
dates on the recruiting calendar for all ages - and she also has a
primer on basic recruiting terms.
28-Jun-2008
Several Firsts at the Midwest Closed
The USTA Midwest Section is rich in tradition, and one of those
long-standing traditions is this section's closed championships.
Players like Aaron Krickstein, Todd Martin, Malavi Washington, Laura
Granville, Amy Frazier, and Shawn Foltz have grown up competing in
competed here in the past. The 2008 edition of the Midwest Closed
featured two firsts: an unseeded player won the Boys 18s, and a pair
of local players won their divisions.
20-Jun-2008
Jones and Liversage Win Hard Court Championships in San Diego
One of the better kept secrets in tennis is the USTA National Open
Hard Court Championships in sunny San Diego, CA, held at the Balboa
Tennis Club July 9-15. Not many tournaments offer the triple crown of
possible prizes: USTA Pro Circuit Wild Cards, gold/silver/bronze
balls, and decent prize money. These three things combine to bring in
an attractive field made up of current college players, some juniors,
and a strong contingent of very good local former college players
still in their 20s.
19-Jun-2008
Dabrowski and Britton Conquer International Grass Court Fields
Seventeen-year-old Devin Britton was making his third attempt at a
U.S. Junior International Grass Court Championship, while 16-year-old
Gabriela Dabrowski was playing in her first event on the surface, but
both conquered the Philadelphia heat to claim singles titles last week
at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
16-Jun-2008
Prince Hot 100 List - June
Today we release 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.
12-Jun-2008
Prince PPI All-American Gives Top Academy Juniors a Taste of the NCAA Championships
The Prince Plugged In Academy Challenge Cup competition, in its fourth
year, pits top junior academies against each other, in a team format.
Last month, a select few participated in the first PPI All-American
Championships held in conjunction with the NCAA Division I
championships in Tulsa.
9-Jun-2008
Top Mid-Major Women's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network continues its rankings of mid-major
recruiting classes. This article includes the Top 25 mid-major
women's recruiting classes for 2008.
6-Jun-2008
Top Mid-Major Men's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network presents its recruiting class
rankings for mid-major conferences. Today we present our Top 25
mid-major men's recruiting classes for 2008.
5-Jun-2008
May Aces
The aces for May start with the NCAA champions but don't end there.
Junior achievers also made their marks last month on the Pro Circuit
and ITF scene, in the U.S. and Europe.
2-Jun-2008
2008 Women's Recruiting Class Rankings - Spring Edition
Last week, TennisRecruiting.net ranked the men's recruiting classes.
Today, the women have their turn. TennisRecruiting.net is proud to
present its spring rankings of the Top 25 Women's Recruiting Classes.
There are cats (well, Tigers, anyway) and Dawgs at the top, but take a
look at the new face in the Top 10 - as well as a previously unrated
class that now checks in at #15.
31-May-2008
2008 Peach State Classic
Perfect late-spring weather graced the Memorial Day weekend in
metro-Atlanta for the participants in the 17th Peach State Junior
Tennis Classic, a USTA Level 3 National hosted at the Racquet Club of
the South in Norcross, GA.
30-May-2008
Will the Serve and Volley Ever Bounce Back?
On court, the power game is linked to the economy of energy - points
end after fewer strokes and in less time. On the other hand, a game
built around strategy, like the Serve and Volley game, is linked more
to patience. I believe the gradual disappearance of the Serve and
Volley in modern tennis can be traced back to several factors; the
difficulty and time commitment required for its development, equipment
advancements, improvements in the players' physical fitness, and the
fans thirst for the more "glamorous" game.
29-May-2008
Devvarman and McDowell Claim NCAA Singles Crowns
The Atlantic Coast Conference swept the NCAA singles championships on
Monday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center at the University of
Tulsa, with defending champion Somdev Devvarman of Virginia and Amanda
McDowell of Georgia Tech posting convincing victories in the finals.
Devvarman defeated Tennessee freshman JP Smith 6-3, 6-2, while
McDowell downed 2005 NCAA champion Zuzana Zemenova of Baylor 6-2, 6-3.
26-May-2008
2008 Men's Recruiting Class Rankings - Spring Edition
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. You
can still find Stanford at the top, but there are some new faces in
both the Top 10 and Top 25. Take a look at the results of our most
recent poll.
22-May-2008
UCLA Women and Georgia Men Capture NCAA Team Championships in Tulsa
Two teams that had endured prolonged bouts of illness and injury
during the season found their form at just the right time, with the
UCLA Bruins taking their first women's championship with a 4-0 win
over Cal-Berkeley Tuesday afternoon and the Georgia Bulldogs
successfully defending their 2007 title with a 4-2 victory over Texas
Tuesday night at the Michael Case Tennis Center on the campus of the
University of Tulsa.
19-May-2008
Prince Hot 100 List - May
Today we release 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.
17-May-2008
Prince PPI Program Crowns World Team Champion in Rome
The inaugural Prince Plugged In (PPI) World Team Championships have
come and gone and the first academy name is now engraved on the World
Championship team trophy. Last week, Prince brought five of the
world's most elite junior training academies to Rome for a week of
competition, training, education and cultural exchanges - a way for
academies to measure themselves against other parts of the world and
determine who deserves the title "best of the best".
16-May-2008
Open Letter to Recruits
An open letter to high school tennis hopefuls seeking college
scholarships from Coach Paul Torricelli, former head of men's tennis at
Northwestern University.
15-May-2008
Michigan Men Advance to Sweet Sixteen with 4-2 Win Over Texas Tech
The yin and yang of Michigan's springtime weather was on full display
last weekend in Ann Arbor, where the 16th ranked Wolverines hosted
Western Michigan, Harvard and Texas Tech for the first two rounds of
NCAA Division I team championship competition. The home team took
found the silver lining in the rain clouds however, defeating Texas
Tech 4-2 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since
1988.
12-May-2008
NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Championships Preview
May is the month for college tennis championships, and not just for
the larger schools in NCAA Division I. Championships for NCAA
Divisions II and III - as well as NAIA, NJCAA, and CCC - also take
place this month. The quality of tennis play is high in these
divisions as well. Today, the author of the Division III Tennis Blog
stops by with a preview of the Final 8 which starts tomorrow in
Lewiston, Maine.
9-May-2008
Articles at TennisRecruiting.net
There are many great junior tennis players out there, and the Internet
has a lot of great stories on them. This week, TennisRecruiting.net
announces the ability for players and parents to link to third-party
articles on their profile pages.
8-May-2008
A Conversation with Documentary Filmmaker Tom Pura
Tom Pura is a tennis parent, a Harvard grad and a Wall Street retiree.
He is not, as he would be the first to tell you, a movie producer. But
several years ago, Pura decided that if he wanted to chronicle the
tennis life of his 13-year-old son TJ, it was up to him to become one.
Colette Lewis talks with Pura about his resulting documentary, entitled
50,000 Balls.
7-May-2008
Fournier, St. Louis Juniors Go Deep at Interscholastics
Taylor Fournier (Leawood, Kan.), Alexandra Lehman (St. Louis) and
Andrew Mellow (St. Louis) led the seven-player USTA Missouri Valley
junior contingent at the USTA Interscholastic Championships - East,
with each of those three reaching the semifinals or better.
5-May-2008
NCAA Tournament Roundtable
Today may be Cinco de Mayo, but the month of May is tournament
time for college tennis. The first and second rounds of the NCAA
Division I Tennis Championships start on Friday. We invited some
of our college tennis contributors from around the country to weigh in
on the Big Dance of college tennis.
2-May-2008
2008 Muterspaw Wrap
The Andre Aggasi Charitable Foundation has put on the Muterspaw
Championships for eight years, and each year it gets more popular -
drawing more applicants from all across the United States. Tournament
champions hailed from Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
1-May-2008
April Aces
Most of the aces this month are juniors who competed in the major
California hard court events, but several others scored big on clay in
Texas, Florida, Mexico and Italy.
28-Apr-2008
The Coaching Carousel
The coaching carousel spins again, this time with the break up of one
of the highest profile teams on the ATP Tour, Andy Roddick and his
coach, Jimmy Connors. The first question people usually ask is "What
happened?". As in many cases, knee-jerk reactions, speculations, and
rumors inevitably begin to pile up and ultimately bury the truth.
22-Apr-2008
Cavaliers, Tigers Take ACC Titles
The ACC men's and women's tennis championships took place this past
weekend in Altamonte Springs, Fla., just north of Orlando. The
Virginia men continued their recent domination of the event, winning
their fourth title in five years. The women's results were more
unexpected, with fourth-seeded Clemson upsetting top seed and defending
national champion Georgia Tech in the semis and #2 Duke in the final.
21-Apr-2008
2008 NCAA Men's Tournament Preview
It's the best time of year again in the world of college tennis. The
NCAA tournament is right around the corner, and all eyes are on the
festive conference tournaments taking place. With no further adieu,
here are a few notable men's tennis teams and conferences to look for
during the NCAA madness.
18-Apr-2008
Sock wins Easter Bowl 16s Singles Crown
After a year and a half of troubling foot stress fractures, it appears
Jack Sock is truly back to his old winning ways. The 15-year old
Lincoln, Neb. native proved that point Sunday, April 13 with a
hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4) victory over Clay Thompson (Venice,
Calif.) in the Boys' 16 singles final at The Easter Bowl in Rancho
Mirage, Calif.
17-Apr-2008
Oudin Earns Fifth Major ITF title, Buchanan Gets His First at Easter Bowl
Melanie Oudin and Chase Buchanan joined forty years of Easter Bowl
champions last week in the desert heat of Rancho Mirage, Calif.,
earning titles in the second of two April ITF Grade 1 events held in
the Golden State.
16-Apr-2008
NCAA Women's Tournament Bracketology
As we pass by Tax Day, the college tennis regular season is drawing to a
close. Conference races are wrapping up, and post-season tournaments
are coming up quickly. Marc Lucero identifies some of the D1 women's
tennis teams who are "on the bubble" - identifying how they can help
themselves down the stretch.
14-Apr-2008
Prince Hot 100 List - April
Today we release 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.
10-Apr-2008
Klahn and Oudin Take ITF Grade 1 International Spring Championships in California
The clouds and chill that were prevalent all week at the Home Depot
Center in Carson, California couldn't cool off two red-hot U.S.
juniors, as Melanie Oudin and Bradley Klahn posted straight-set
victories in the finals of last week's International Spring
Championships. Number one seed Oudin topped unseeded Jacqueline Cako
6-3, 6-3. Klahn, the second seed, eased past No. 5 seed Jarmere
Jenkins 6-1, 7-6 (1).
8-Apr-2008
Spring Signing Week '08: Top 100 Update
On "Signing Day Eve," TennisRecruiting.net updates the status of the
Top 100 senior boys and girls in the Class of 2008. A few more have
made decisions - and several plan to announce this week.
7-Apr-2008
Spring Signing Week '08: National Roundup
Signing Week has finally arrived, and we are only two days away from
Signing Day itself on April 9. Take a look at our coverage schedule -
and hear comments from boys and girls across the country in our National Roundup.
4-Apr-2008
Major Statement for NCAA Tennis
Novak Djokovic's second round 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-4 loss to South
African Qualifier Kevin Anderson in Miami is not only a monumental
upset, but also a major statement for NCAA College tennis.
3-Apr-2008
March Aces
Clay or Hard, Indoor or Out, junior and college aces found all
conditions to their liking in March.
31-Mar-2008
Countdown: Boys' War Room
On Friday, we visited with the girls. Today, the top boys in the
senior class talk college recruiting. Find out where the Top 100
boys are leaning, and see who your favorite school is after...
28-Mar-2008
Countdown: Girls' War Room
Many of the top girls committed during Fall Signing Week last November,
but a number of top targets are 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 list, and many
are still wide open.
24-Mar-2008
Countdown to Signing Day
It's that time of year... Signing Day is approaching. April 9 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. As always, TennisRecruiting.net is there with a courtside
seat to all the action. Today we give you a preview of our coverage
schedule.
21-Mar-2008
Shankle Takes Maureen Connolly Brinker Championship
On the eve of St. Patrick's Day, Blue Chip Blair Shankle (Comfort,
Texas) held off a fierce opponent in Ellie Yates (Ridgeland,
Mississippi) 7-6, 6-0 to win the Maureen Connolly Brinker Girl's 14s National
Championships in Dallas.
20-Mar-2008
Nevolo and Ahn Take Gold at USTA 18s Spring Nationals
For 18-year-old Dennis Nevolo, the third time in Mobile was the charm,
while for 15-year-old Kristie Ahn, her first trip to the Spring 18s
resulted in a national championship.
17-Mar-2008
Prince Hot 100 List - March
Today we release 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.
14-Mar-2008
UNO is Back with New Facilities
As Burzis Kanga built the University of New Orleans tennis program
into a Sun Belt championship contending program, his efforts came to a
halt as Hurricane Katrina came through New Orleans. The rebuilding
efforts are underway as UNO athletic director Jim Miller recently
announced the return of the men's and women's tennis programs.
13-Mar-2008
Panel Discussion: Integrating with a New Team (Part 2)
Today we conclude our discussion on integrating into a college tennis
team - and adjusting to college coaching. College coaches answer the
question: "How does a top junior player transition quickly to a team
atmosphere with less personal attention?"
10-Mar-2008
TennisRecruiting.net and Intercollegiate Tennis Association Announce Partnership
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) and the Tennis Recruiting
Network have announced a strategic partnership to help college coaches
connect with future players. Effective immediately, all ITA member
coaches will be eligible to receive a special rate for the Coaching
Advantage service at the TennisRecruiting.net website.
6-Mar-2008
February Aces
College tennis accounts for half of February's dozen aces, but there
were also juniors excelling south of the border, across the Atlantic,
and in the pro ranks.
3-Mar-2008
The Return of Davenport
Davenport's back! That's good news for women's tennis, and with her
commitment to play in the Fed Cup and her eyes set on the 2008 Beijing
Olympics, better news for American women's tennis.
25-Feb-2008
Applying a Little Scholarship to the Tennis World: 2 Nagging Questions
Marc Lucero tackles two intriguing questions: (1) Is there a more effective way
for coaches to evaluate talent? (2) Is the USTA deserving of the
public's criticism that it receives for not producing champions?
21-Feb-2008
Redshirting in College Tennis
Typically associated with football players, the term redshirt is
frequently applied to student-athletes who spend their first
collegiate academic year attending classes, practicing and working out
with the team, but not competing in games. Colette Lewis explores the
issue, talking pros and cons with college coaches and players.
18-Feb-2008
Prince Hot 100 List - February
Today we release 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.
14-Feb-2008
Georgia Tech Repeats as Women's National Indoor Champions
Neither a blizzard, a recent loss to Northwestern nor a 3-0 deficit to
top seed Stanford could keep the Georgia Tech women from defending
their title at the National Indoor Championships in Madison, Wis. The
Yellow Jackets left the expansive icebox of the upper Midwest with the
warmth of their third national team championship.
11-Feb-2008
The Power of Protein
If you asked most athletes what the most important nutrient was for
performance, they would answer protein. They would be correct in
giving that answer. Why is protein so vital? It builds hormones and
antibodies, it is a component of enzymes, and it is also an important
part of our muscle, skin, blood, organs, brain, nerves and even our
genes. Laurie Wexel of HealthyTennis.com talks about this vital
nutrient.
8-Feb-2008
Beat the Cheat - Part II
There will always be people who choose to cheat. Therefore we must
develop skills in our youth that heighten our ability to maintain our
composure in the midst of unfair competition - whether on the court or
off. Developing these skills will prove invaluable to young players
both in tennis - as well as in life.
7-Feb-2008
January Aces
While the rest of the country watched the ball drop in Times Square,
the juniors competing in Arizona were concentrating instead on the
gold balls awarded at the Winter National Championships. Those eight
winners join Australian Open junior champions and Florida Futures
winners as this month's aces.
4-Feb-2008
Top Women's Classes - 2008 Winter Rankings
Spring Signing Day is two months away, and coaches are busy locking up
their recruits. A number of highly-ranked seniors have already made
their college choice - they have made verbal commitments or signed
during the Fall Signing Period. Find out which women's teams are on
top at this point - with the Winter Rankings of the Top 25 Women's
Recruiting Classes.
1-Feb-2008
Tournament Tennis vs. High School Tennis
As a national tournament director for the USTA, and as an advisor to
high school students looking to play in college, I have seen many
juniors agonize over the choice of which 'master' to follow: the USTA
tournament schedule, or their high school schedule. Each has a set of
regulations to follow to be eligible for play/ranking, and sometimes
those rules and schedules conflict.
31-Jan-2008
Tennis Plaza Cup Crowns Champions amid Raindrops
It may have taken overtime, but eight champions emerged in four age
divisions in last week's Tennis Plaza Cup, a USTA National Level 3
event in its second year in south Florida.
28-Jan-2008
Top Men's Classes - 2008 Winter Rankings
A month into the new year, now is a great time to look at the top
recruiting classes so far in college tennis. There are hundreds
of commitments - many from the fall signing period in November,
and many more verbal commitments from the past couple of months.
Our panel of voters has been busy, and today the Tennis Recruiting
Network brings you an early look at the Top 25 Men's Recruiting
Classes.
21-Jan-2008
Panel Discussion: Integrating with a New Team (Part 1)
College tennis is often a huge step for incoming freshmen. One big
difference is in coaching. Many freshmen may not get the individual
attention they were accustomed to as juniors. Some players even feel
like they are lost in the shuffle. We asked our panel of former college
coaches: "How does a top junior player transition quickly to a team
atmosphere with less personal attention?"
18-Jan-2008
January Prince Hot 100 List
Earlier this week we released 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 improved their
rankings dramatically during the past month.
18-Jan-2008
TennisRecruiting.net and Prince Tennis Announce Partnership
TennisRecruiting.net announces that Prince Tennis, a recognized
world-leader in tennis equipment, will be the title sponsor of the new
Prince Hot 100 Rank Lists. The Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and
100 girls who have been playing outstanding tennis and improving their
game.
17-Jan-2008
Nine Intriguing Questions for 2008
For the third year in a row, Colette Lewis publishes her annual
"Intriguing Questions" article right here at TennisRecruiting.net.
Take a look at nine questions she is eager to have answered in 2008.
14-Jan-2008
Beat the Cheat - Part I
Anyone who has spent more than five minutes at a junior tennis
tournament knows how prevalent cheating and accusations of cheating
are even at that level of play. The questions we must address as
coaches and parents are: (1) What causes our youngsters to cheat? (2)
How do we teach our kids to handle cheating when they are on the
receiving end?
10-Jan-2008
Youth Prevails at the Copper Bowl
Spectators huddled next to the wall of the pro shop to get out of the
fierce winds that arrived in time for the finals of the Copper Bowl in
Tuscon. Harsh storms in the Western US did their best to disrupt the
tournament schedule, but the tournament finished on time with a number
of young players taking home trophies.
7-Jan-2008
December Aces
December may mean charity events and exhibitions for the pro tour, but
in the junior tennis world, the final month of the year has much
higher stakes. Here are 16 players who met the challenge.
4-Jan-2008
Lots of "Firsts" in the Winter Nationals
It is not unusual for families to go south to vacation in winter.
Tennis families are no different. In late December many of the best US
juniors congregate in Arizona for the USTA Winter Nationals. The
older age groups go to the metropolitan Phoenix area, and the younger
players head to Tucson.
31-Dec-2007
Choosing a College Recruiting Service
Annette Broersma provides her take on the following question: "When
I look around the Internet, I quickly find a lot of different
recruiting services. Which ones should I consider using?"
27-Dec-2007
Eddie Herr Champions Keys and Di Giulio Add Junior Orange Bowl Titles
Madison Keys of Boca Raton, Fla. and Joe Di Giulio of Newport Beach,
Calif. were the targets of every 12-and-under player competing in the
Junior Orange Bowl last week. With recent Eddie Herr championships
secure, the pair once again triumphed over the international elite of
their age group in Coral Gables, Fla., adding the coveted silver bowl
of oranges to their trophy cases.
24-Dec-2007
Happy Holidays from TennisRecruiting.net!
TennisRecruiting.net wishes everyone the best for the Holiday Season.
Today we announce the winners of our Holiday Contest.
21-Dec-2007
TennisRecruiting.net Server Upgrade
TennisRecruiting.net is upgrading both its hardware and networking
infrastructure this weekend to accomodate better-than-expected growth.
The website currently averages almost 200,000 visitors every month - and
those visitors are viewing almost 3 million webpages. Downtime to
accomodate the upgrade is scheduled overnight Friday.
17-Dec-2007
December Hot 100 List
As a winter storm engulfs much of the country, people are probably
thinking more about Hot Chocolate than the Hot 100. But the Fall
tennis season features many important tennis tournaments - and many
juniors have been heating up the courts. Those juniors who have been
performing at a high level show up on our Holiday edition of the
Hot 100.
14-Dec-2007
College Tennis Fall Rewind
Final exams for the fall semester are about to come to an end, and the
the fall college tennis season is now in the books. The fall season
features a number of individual tournaments, and there were some
interesting developments. Also, the start of the spring season is
only a month away. Join us as we relive the fall - and look forward
to the dual matches of '08.
13-Dec-2007
Florida Fortnight Crowns a Dozen Singles Champions from Eight Countries
The world's best juniors descend on South Florida in late November
prepared for the intensive competition the Eddie Herr International in
Bradenton and Orange Bowl in Miami always provide. This year, it was
players from the United States who captured the most titles.
6-Dec-2007
November Aces
November began with the crowning of college indoor champions and ended
with coveted Eddie Herr 12s titles, and throughout the month there
were performances worth noting.
3-Dec-2007
Master the Backhand Court
If you are like most people then your forehand is more dependable and
aggressive than your backhand. If your opponent attacks your
backhand, there are two ways to approach the problem: either improve
your backhand - or simply hit more forehands!
30-Nov-2007
TennisRecruiting.net Holiday Contest
It's the Holiday Season, and TennisRecruiting.net is giving away
Recruiting Advantage memberships to a few lucky users. This article
describes two contests that we are running throughout the month of
December.
26-Nov-2007
Minneapolis Junior Has Plenty To Be Thankful For
Angela Wong spends much of her days driving her two children to
various tennis activities in the Twin Cities. Whether it is a
tournament, private lessons or a drill, Wong chauffeurs her two tennis
prodigies from court to court as they continue to develop their games.
Unfortunately, their tennis travels put them on the I-35W bridge at the
wrong time.
22-Nov-2007
2007 Eddie Herr Provides Glimpse into the Future of Tennis
Four age divisions of both boys and girls from around the world make
for an impressive array of junior tennis. And the Eddie Herr, which
begins this weekend at the IMG/Bollettieri Tennis Academy in
Bradenton, Florida, usually showcases a future professional star.
19-Nov-2007
November Hot 100 List
Today we release the November edition of the Hot 100. The
Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have improved their rankings dramatically during
the past month.
13-Nov-2007
Signing Week: National 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...
12-Nov-2007
Signing Week: Blue Chip Update
It's finally here! Signing Week has arrived, with Signing Day coming
this Wednesday, November 14. We kick things off with a look at the schedule
and an update on the Blue Chip boys and girls.
8-Nov-2007
Devvarman and Miseviciute Earn ITA Indoor Titles
It was the expected and the unexpected last weekend in Columbus, Ohio
as No. 1 seed Somdev Devvarman of Virginia and unseeded Aurelija
Miseviciute of Arkansas collected the first ITA Indoor Championships
in the history of their schools.
2-Nov-2007
Panel Discussion: Junior and College Coaches (Part 2)
This is the the conclusion of a two-part panel discussion where
college coaches answer the question: "What are the differences between
private coaches and college coaches? Does the private coach still
have a role once a player heads off to college?"
1-Nov-2007
October Aces
From junior to college to Pro Circuit events on six continents, aces
were plentiful last month; the 17 pictured below all harvested
trophies in October.
29-Oct-2007
Countdown: Blue Chip Boys
The Countdown to Signing Day continues with a visit to the Blue Chip
boys. We talked with the top seniors from across the country to find out
where they are leaning in their college recruiting process. You can find out
who is still wide open - and who has already decided - right now.
26-Oct-2007
Countdown: Blue Chip Girls
With signing week just a few short weeks away, we check in with 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
one is still wide open. Take a look and see where things stand...
19-Oct-2007
Countdown to Signing Day
Don't look now, but Signing Day is right around the corner. November
14th 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 is here to keep you up to date on all the
happenings.
18-Oct-2007
Oudin and Spencer Take Tulsa Titles
For top-seeded Melanie Oudin, it was the second major ITF junior title
in as many months; for unseeded Wil Spencer it was the first of his
junior career, but for both players, the Pan American Closed in Tulsa,
Okla. was a forum for outstanding tennis.
17-Oct-2007
The Lost Art of the Drop Shot
Let's face it, today's game is all about power and hitting the tar out
of the ball. For the most part, the game of tennis is now
predominantly played behind the baseline. This evolution has brought
many advances to the game, including the need for increased physical
training, as well as requiring players to hone their mental games.
However, one skill lost in this transition has been the fine art of
the drop shot. If used properly, I believe that the drop shot can be
more effective than ever before.
15-Oct-2007
October Hot 100 List
Today we release the October edition of the Hot 100. The
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.
12-Oct-2007
Conversation with John Isner
One of the best stories in American tennis over the past year is
that of John Isner. Hot on the heels of leading Georgia to a national
championship, Isner has had great success on the pro tour. Isner won
a string of three-set matches to reach the final of the Legg Mason
against Andy Roddick, and he followed that up by reaching the third round of the US
Open. Isner's successes have shined a bright light on college tennis.
Today, Isner takes time out to talk about his recent success.
11-Oct-2007
ITA Polo All-American Crowns Another Bulldog Champion
Georgia's Travis Helgeson may not have the height or the serve of his
former teammate John Isner, but he now owns the same major college
title: a singles championship at the Polo ITA All-American tournament.
5-Oct-2007
American Coaching in London
British Tennis is getting a dose of American coaching; will it change
the prognosis for juniors there? The LTA recently selected Bill
Mountford, USTA director of tennis at the Billie Jean King National
Tennis Center for six years, to oversee the LTA's Coach Relations and
Competition program. Colette Lewis talks with Mountford about junior
tennis in the UK.
4-Oct-2007
September Aces
All of August's aces were from the United States, but players from
every corner of the world produced last month's outstanding
accomplishments.
28-Sep-2007
Mike Agassi "No Quit" Championships Wrap-Up
This second year of the Mike Agassi "No Quit" Championships as a USTA
Level 3 national tournament saw over 900 players from 37 states apply
for the 256 available spots. Fifteen of the seventeen USTA Sections
were represented this past weekend in Las Vegas. Julie Wrege
scattershoots over highlights of the tournament.
24-Sep-2007
Just One Thing to Think About?
Dede Allen answers the question: "If you had to tell a player just one
thing to think about during the recruiting process, what would it be?"
21-Sep-2007
2007-08 College Preview and Freshman Women to Watch
The US Open is over, student-athletes are back in school, and the
leaves are just starting to change colors. At least I assume they are
changing colors somewhere; the only colors we see in San Diego are
green (grass), blue (the Pacific Ocean), and red (the mercury in the
thermometer from the September heat waves). Anyway, what all this
means for college tennis players, coaches, parents, and fans from
Wazzu to The U is that the fall tennis season is upon us.
17-Sep-2007
September Hot 100 List
Today we release the September edition of the Hot 100. The
Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have improved their rankings dramatically during
the past month.
14-Sep-2007
2007-08 Men's College Preview
It's that time of year when tennis dreams and emotions are riding high
in the afterglow of the U.S. Open. When late August arrives I can't
help but relive the excitement I used to feel before heading back
to school for another year of NCAA tennis. I would spend my time
wondering if all the hard work over the summer would pay off, and how
the new recruits would fit into our team dynamic. Let's take a look
around the world of men's college tennis.
13-Sep-2007
Lessons and Observations from the 2007 US Open
Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com has the last word on the US Open. She
makes 16 observations from New York.
12-Sep-2007
Welcome to the Evolution
On today's tennis courts, you can find a wide variety in the styles of
play and the personalities on the court. Every match seems to
showcase something different to amaze and delight fans. The power is
there, but there is a mix of speed, agility and all-court play. The
game has evolved into a much more physical sport than ever before.
But you need more than physical strength and stamina to be successful
in today's game. Just take a look at the number one players in the
world on both sides.
10-Sep-2007
US Open a Foreign Affair
Bring on the world, the U.S. Open said. They did - and the world won.
But a pair of young Americans may have provided a glimpse of the
future.
6-Sep-2007
August Aces
August begins with the National Junior Championships and ends midway
through the Open in New York, so it's fitting that all the aces for
the month call the United States home.
3-Sep-2007
Welcome, Class of 2014!
Labor Day Weekend. Class is in session, and the new sixth-graders
start to walk the halls of middle school. This week's rankings at
the Tennis Recruiting Network are the first of the 2007-08 season -
and they also mark the arrival of the Class of 2014.
31-Aug-2007
Good Luck, Class of 2007
Every year, people congratulate their graduating seniors,
wishing them well as they move on from their high school days to
bigger and better things. Saying goodbye to the Class of 2007 at
TennisRecruiting.net is no different. This week's rankings are
the last listings for the 2006-07 year - and they are also our
final rankings for the outgoing Class of 2007.
29-Aug-2007
Review Player Records for Star Ratings
In just a few weeks, TennisRecruiting.net will release its 2007-08 Top
Prospect Ratings - 5 Star, 4 Star, 3 Star, etc. These ratings are
based on all tournament play from September 2006 to August 2007.
Players and parents should verify that information on their player
records is correct before September 15th.
27-Aug-2007
Panel Discussion: Junior and College Coaches (Part 1)
Many junior tennis players work with private coaches - coaches that
oversee all aspects of the players' development as athletes and tennis
players. When these junior players graduate from high school, college
coaches take over their development. We asked a number of college coaches
about what makes their role unique - and also the role of a private coach
once a player enters college.
24-Aug-2007
Does Glucosamine Really Work?
Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear disease that robs cartilage from
joints. Known as a universal disease, osteoarthritis is a risk to
everyone, and especially the active junior tennis player. Laurie
Wexel explores the body's mechanisms for creating, maintaining,
and repairing cartilage.
23-Aug-2007
Unstrung: Courier Documentary Attempts to Transcend Tennis
Jim Courier didn't want his documentary "Unstrung" to be a tennis
movie. What he hoped for, after following a group of male junior
players for ten months, was a film that would appeal to a wider
audience, one that would focus less on the sport and more on the
dynamics and drama when family and competition intertwine. Each of
the film's subjects provides a glimpse of the many paths parents
and children can take.
20-Aug-2007
August Hot 100 List
Today we release the August edition of the Hot 100. The
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.
17-Aug-2007
Weinhold Rolls to Girls 18 Nationals Title
In last year's Girls 18 Nationals, Ashley Weinhold of Spicewood, Texas
was the runner up in both singles and doubles. "I'm hoping to win one
more match this year," she said going into the tournament. She did
just that - not dropping a set at this year's 2007 Girls 18 National
Championship.
16-Aug-2007
Top Seeds Prevail in the Boys 16 and 18 Nationals
Top seeds arrive in Kalamazoo with extra pressure and expectations.
They play on the main stadium courts, and they are also playing for
U.S. Open wild cards. For the second year in a row, Kalamazoo's
champions held up under that top-seed pressure, with 18's No. 1
Michael McClune and 16s No. 1 Tennys Sandgren capturing the most
prestigious titles in U.S. junior tennis and their spots in New York.
15-Aug-2007
USTA Boys 14 National Championships
Ninth-seeded Spencer Simon of Santa Barbara, Calif., used strong
forehand drives to beat No. 10 Jeremy Efferding of Lake Worth, Fla.,
6-3, 6-2 Aug. 12 in the singles final of the USTA Boys 14 National
Championships at McFarlin Tennis Center.
14-Aug-2007
Georgia Girls Make History in USTA Girls' 14 Final
Just a few weeks ago, on July 22nd, Grace Min (Lawrenceville, GA) and
Whitney Kay (Alpharetta, GA) dueled for the championship at the Girls'
14 Clays. This past Saturday was deja vu - these same girls - seeded
#1 and #2 - played for the singles championship on the nation's
largest stage - the USTA Girls' 14 Nationals at the Peachtree City
Tennis Center in Peachtree City, Ga.
13-Aug-2007
Gardiner tops Harron for Boys 12s Nationals title
Saying that Tyler Gardiner and Conrad Harron were both winners in the
USTA Boys 12s National Championships sounds like a cop-out. But in
this case, it may be the best way to frame almost a week's worth of
competition.
9-Aug-2007
July Aces
It started with U.S. junior fireworks at Wimbledon and ended with a
collegiate bang at the ATP event in Washington D.C. July, which also
produced USTA Clay Court National Champions, was an ace-filled
extravaganza.
6-Aug-2007
Campus Visits and Interviews
With the school year about to begin, rising seniors and their
families are about to start taking official campus visits. Rising
juniors might also be planning college visits with their families -
stealing away for a weekend to check out a school and take in a
football game. Dede Allen talks about the importance of the visit in
the college decision process - and how to make the most of one.
3-Aug-2007
Girls' 18 Nationals Preview
Different courts, different site. Some familiar, some unaccustomed
volunteers. Same directors, same returning top seeds and new, hungry
players will go to California once again to compete in the Girls' 18
National Championship for the one desired US Open wild card.
2-Aug-2007
McClune and Sandgren Lead 18s and 16s Fields as Kalamazoo Marks 65th year
Michael McClune and Tennys Sandgren hope to add their names to the
list of Who's Who in American Tennis by capturing championships during
the 65th edition of the USTA Boys' 18 & 16 Nationals, beginning
tomorrow at Kalamazoo College's Stowe Stadium and the Sorensen courts
on the campus of Western Michigan University.
30-Jul-2007
Mark Riley Takes the Reins at Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo College alumnus Mark Riley ('82), head men's tennis coach at
the University of Pennsylvania for the past seven seasons, was
recently named men's tennis coach at his alma mater and assistant
director of the 2007 USTA Boys 18s and 16s National Championships.
Just a few days after his arrival on campus at Kalamazoo College,
Colette Lewis sat down to talk with Riley about the new chapter in his
career in tennis.
27-Jul-2007
What Really Matters?
As a tennis coach I have learned a lot by observing others both on the
court and off. There is one trait in people that is difficult to
define, but we all know it when we see it... a strong character.
Although there is no direct link between one's level of character and
one's level of ability on the tennis court. However, I can say
without hesitation that there is a direct link between the level of
happiness one enjoys and the quality of one's character.
26-Jul-2007
Bowles and Sandgren Survive Florida Heat to Claim Clay Court Crowns
The USTA Boys 18s and 16s National Clay Court Championships moved
south this year, to Delray Beach, Florida, ending three years of the
two age divisions playing together in Rockville, Maryland. The boys
joined the girls 12s and the boys and girls 14s in South Florida, and
players who had participated in those events knew that heat and
humidity would play a big role in deciding the champions.
25-Jul-2007
Clayton Upsets Embree to Take 18s Clay Title
Memphis, Tennessee - and the Racquet Club of Memphis - have long been
home to the USTA Girls' 18 National Clay Courts championships.
Last week's tournament was another success. Chair umpires - and
ballkids on the featured courts - made for a great environment. And
there were some great upsets as well.
23-Jul-2007
Bolender comes back for Girls 16 Clay crown
Brooke Bolender, who grew up in Westlake, Ohio, combined power, savvy and the
power of positive thinking to gain what she said she considered her
biggest singles title. She gutted out a 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory July 22
over unseeded Sloane Stephens at Virginia Beach Tennis and Country
Club.
20-Jul-2007
YouTube Video at TennisRecruiting.net
Everyone loves photos, but this is the 21st century - and the
day of video. Today, TennisRecruiting.net announces the ability for
players and parents to embed YouTube video clips on their profile
pages. Players - show off your technique and point play to coaches,
family, and friends.
19-Jul-2007
July Hot 100 List
This week we release the July edition of the Hot 100. The
Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have improved their rankings dramatically during
the past month.
16-Jul-2007
U.S. Juniors Shine at Sun-Starved Wimbledon
The 2007 Wimbledon Junior Championships were marred by rain, but a
little rain could not deter Donald Young and Madison Brengle from
becoming the first American boy and girl combination to reach the
singles finals since 1981. Young won the boys title over Vlad Ignatic
of Belarus, while Brengle fell in three sets to Urszula Radwanska of
Poland.
12-Jul-2007
Twelve Tips for a Better Tournament Experience
Colette Lewis has attended quite a few tennis tournaments over the
years. During that time, she has seen the good, the bad, and the
ugly. Here is a list of twelve tips that players and parents should
keep in mind to foster the best-possible tournament experience for
everyone.
6-Jul-2007
Conversation with West Nott
One of the most popular contributors at TennisRecruiting.net is West
Nott. West has something insightful to say on every tennis topic
because he has done it all: competed at the junior, collegiate, and
professional levels... played Davis Cup... coached both
junior and college athletes... and covered tennis as a member of the
media. And he is only in his mid-twenties. West took the time to
talk with us about his past accomplishments.
5-Jul-2007
June Aces
June is the transition month - from clay to grass, and from school to
summer vacation. Here are some of the junior and collegiate aces who
took it all it stride.
29-Jun-2007
Southern California Sectionals Wrap Up
Ryan Thacher and Thien-Trang Nguyen captured the Boys and Girls 18
singles titles, respectively, at the 105th annual Southern California
Jr. Sectional Championships in Fountain Valley, Calif. Renowned
tennis writer Rhiannon Potkey attended the event and has a wrap up of all
the action.
27-Jun-2007
Southern California Sectional: 10s Division
Julie Wrege files a report from the 10s division of
the venerable Southern California Sectionals.
25-Jun-2007
Breaking Down Your Opponent (Part 2)
Last month I talked about breaking down your opponent both technically
and physically. The last way to do this is mentally, which often
starts before the match begins.
21-Jun-2007
Klahn and Paz Weather All Challenges to Earn Grass Courts Titles
Last week's U.S. Junior International Grass Courts Championships at
the Philadelphia Cricket Club were played over six days that seemed to
encompass three different seasons - cool spring rains, overcast autumn
skies, and summer sun and warmth. Bradley Klahn and Gabriela Paz
withstood both the climate changes and the unfamiliar surface to
capture Grass Court titles.
20-Jun-2007
Recap: UC Santa Cruz, Washington and Lee Take Division III Crowns
The NCAA Division III Championships took place last month. UC Santa
Cruz won the men's championship in St. Louis, while Washington and Lee
brought home the women's title from Fredericksburg, Virginia.
18-Jun-2007
June Hot 100 List
Today we release the June edition of the Hot 100. The
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-2007
Top Mid-Major Men's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network continues its rankings of mid-major
recruiting classes. This article includes the Top 25 mid-major men's
recruiting classes for 2007.
14-Jun-2007
May Aces, Part 2 - Juniors
May featured not only great college tennis, but also many impressive
teenage performances on the ITF pro circuit, especially on the women's
side. Here's a look at the off-campus aces for last month.
11-Jun-2007
Top Mid-Major Women's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network presents its recruiting class
rankings for mid-major conferences. Today we present the Top 25
mid-major women's recruiting classes for 2007-08.
7-Jun-2007
May Aces, Part 1 - NCAAs
There's the 12 Days of Christmas, and for college tennis fans, May
brings even better gifts, the 12 Days of the NCAAs.
4-Jun-2007
2007 Women's Recruiting Class Rankings - Spring Edition
Today, the Tennis Recruiting Network unveils the Top 25 Women's
Recruiting Classes. The top 3 teams remain intact, but two
new previously-unranked programs leaped into the top 10. Take a
look at how the teams stack up.
1-Jun-2007
2007 Men's Recruiting Class Rankings - Spring Edition
The Tennis Recruiting Network is excited to present its spring
ranking of the Top 25 Men's Recruiting Classes. Several top players
have made commitments since our last rankings in January - shuffling
the rankings substantially. The Florida Gators remain on top, but
take a look at other teams with strong incoming classes this Fall.
1-Jun-2007
Middle Tennessee and North Carolina Earn NCAA Doubles Titles
In the NCAA Division I tournament, Middle Tennessee sent retiring coach
Dale Short out in style with a men's doubles championship, while North
Carolina came back to win the women's doubles title after dropping
the first set 6-1.
31-May-2007
Virginia's Devvarman and Miami's Cohen Win NCAA Singles Championships
The NCAA Division I men's and women's tennis champions are both
college juniors, but they are heading in different directions next
year. Virginia's Somdev Devvarman will return to Charlottesville
for another year, while Audra Cohen of Miami announced that she
will try her hand at the pro tour.
30-May-2007
Peach State Roundup
Julie Wrege reports from the 2007 Peach State Tennis Classic, a
USTA Level 3 tournament over Memorial Day in Atlanta, Ga.
29-May-2007
Breaking Down Your Opponent
There are some things that never change, whether it is on the athletic
field or in life. Some people may not be as good as others, some may
be better, and others are equal. But in every situation there are ways
to break down your opponent.
28-May-2007
Panel Discussion: Importance of Facilities (Part 2)
This is the the conclusion of a two-part panel discussion where
college coaches answer the question: "Is there an arms race for
college tennis? What kinds of facilities does a tennis program need
to be competitive?"
25-May-2007
Georgia Tech Women Defeat UCLA for School's First NCAA Title
Late Tuesday night, a vocal crowd in Athens, Ga., saw the Georgia Tech
Yellow Jackets earn their first women's tennis title - and the
school's first NCAA championship in any sport. Georgia Tech won the
championship with a 4-2 victory over 12th-seeded UCLA.
24-May-2007
Georgia Sweeps Illinois for Fifth NCAA Title
On a warm and breezy Tuesday afternoon in Athens, senior Matic Omerzel
delivered the University of Georgia's fifth NCAA men's tennis
championship, earning the final point in the top-seeded Bulldogs' 4-0
win over Illinois with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory over Ruben Gonzales.
21-May-2007
The Importance of College Tennis Culture
From an outsider's perspective, it might seem that collegiate tennis -
like professional and recreational tennis - is an individual sport
where success and failure rest solely upon the player. Nothing could
be further from the truth. The success of a collegiate tennis team
depends upon a successful team dynamic. In this article, Ben Belletto
explores the importance of culture in college tennis.
17-May-2007
Georgia Teams Hope to Cook up Championships at Home
The University of Georgia's men's and women's teams started the
2006-2007 season in different places, but they've both ended up where
they want to be - poised for a home court run at the NCAA Division I
championships, which begin today at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in
Athens.
16-May-2007
May Hot 100 List
This week we release May's Hot 100 lists. The
Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing
outstanding tennis. These players have substantially improved
their rankings during the past month.
14-May-2007
Lynn and BYU-Hawaii take home Division II Titles
TennisRecruiting.net was on hand for the entire NCAA Division II
Tennis Championships played at the 25-court Sanlando Park in Altamonte
Springs, Fla. The Lynn University Knights defeated Valdosta State 5-1
for the men's title, while the BYU-Hawaii women's team won yet another
championship with a victory over West Florida in the title match.
9-May-2007
NCAA Tournament Preview
For college tennis fans, this is the time. The NCAA Division I
Championships kick off this weekend all around the country. The
D2, D3, and NAIA championships are all underway. We invited
college tennis experts from around the country to preview college
tennis's "Big Dance" - find out what they have to say.
8-May-2007
USTA Boys' 18 and 16 Clays in Delray Beach
The USTA Boys' 18 and 16 Clay Court National Championships moves
this year to Delray Beach, Fla. Learn about the tournament in this
press release from tournament officials.
7-May-2007
Whole Wheat, or Not Whole Wheat: That is The Question!
The title might sound a little funny, but it is a very important
question. The recommendation for teenagers is three to seven servings
of whole-grains every day. If eating whole-grains is so important,
then it makes sense to know if what you are eating is truly
whole-grain or not.
4-May-2007
Gator Bowl Roundup
Julie Wrege reports from the 2007 ATP Gator Bowl Junior Tennis Championships
in Jacksonville, Fla.
3-May-2007
April Aces
Most of April's outstanding performers shone under the Southern
California sun at the International Spring and Easter Bowl
championships. But from Budpest to Little Rock, teenagers made their
elders sit up and take notice last month.
26-Apr-2007
Easter Bowl Wrap
Although the Easter Bowl celebrated its 40th birthday in 2007, there
were new places and fresh faces to help with the celebration. The
tournament moved to the Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa in Rancho
Mirage, California, and all six singles champions collected their
first ever Easter Bowl titles.
25-Apr-2007
Jackets and Cavaliers are ACC Champions
The Georgia Tech women's program won their third consecutive ACC
Championship with a 4-1 victory over the Miami Hurricanes, while the
University of Virginia men's team closed out an undefeated season in
the ACC last Sunday with a 5-0 victory over the North Carolina Tar
Heels.
23-Apr-2007
Panel Discussion: Importance of Facilities (Part 1)
Our Ask the Experts series returns with another roundtable question:
In college athletics, you often hear about the "arms race" for
top-of-the-line facilities. Is there an arms race for college tennis?
What kinds of facilities does a tennis program need to be competitive?
How much of a difference do facilities make in recruiting?
20-Apr-2007
April Hot 100 List
Earlier this week, we released the April edition of the Hot
100. The 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.
19-Apr-2007
Thacher and Jones Capture International Spring Championships
Studio City California's Ryan Thacher and Sacha Jones of New Zealand
won titles in the 18s division of last week's International Spring
Championships at the USTA West Coast Training Center in Carson,
California. Fifteen-year-old Tennys Sandgren and Zoe De Bruycker
won in the 16s.
16-Apr-2007
You Cannot Be Serious!
"I've gone from a poor tennis coach who does comedy, to a poor
comedian who plays tennis." That's Michael Kosta's tongue-in-cheek
description of the past year, when he resigned as assistant men's tennis
coach at the University of Michigan to tell jokes for a living.
Although at first glance that's an improbable change in occupations,
Kosta believes his twenty years in tennis prepared him well.
10-Apr-2007
Spring Signing Week '07: Top 100 Update
On the day before Signing Day, TennisRecruiting.net updates you on
the status of the Top 100 senior boys and girls in the Class of 2007.
The vast majority have now made their decisions... come take a look.
9-Apr-2007
Spring Signing Week '07: National Roundup
Signing Day is practically upon us. Today marks the beginning of the
so-called "dead period", when coaches are not allowed in-person
contact with recruits. With only two days left until April 12,
TennisRecruiting.net kicks off Signing Week with
comments from recently-committed seniors across the nation.
5-Apr-2007
March Aces
From junior to college tennis, Colette Lewis returns with her take
on the top performances in March.
3-Apr-2007
Hampton Coach Achieves Millenium Milestone
HAMPTON, Va. - One of the courts at Hampton University's
Neilson-Screen Tennis Stadium needed a serious cleaning before the
afternoon matches on Saturday, March 31. There were dark spots all
over the green cement. From rain? Hardly. They were from the
champagne that flowed after HU's Robert Screen became the fifth member
of college tennis coaching's 1,000-victory club.
2-Apr-2007
Federer Crashes to Earth
Who would've guessed that Roger Federer would make an opening round
exit from the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells? I certainly wouldn't
have predicted it, especially for a guy that had won 41 consecutive
matches overall and three consecutive titles at Indian Wells. If you
did pick this upset, you could have retired after a short trip to Las
Vegas! But is this really that big of an upset?
29-Mar-2007
USTA Florida's Bobby Curtis Toasted and Roasted at Sony Ericsson Open Dinner
The Greater Miami Tennis and Education Foundation held its annual
fundraising dinner in Key Biscayne on Sunday, and the honoree was
Bobby Curtis, USTA Florida's coordinator of junior tennis. Colette
Lewis of ZooTennis.com was onhand to listen to the stories - humorous
and heartfelt.
26-Mar-2007
Countdown: Boys' War Room
As April 11 grows closer, the Countdown to Signing Day rolls on.
Today we talk recruiting with the Top 100 senior boys. Learn which
players have made up their minds - and the schools others are
considering.
22-Mar-2007
Boyajian and Oudin Take USTA Spring National Titles in Mobile
Melanie Oudin won her first gold ball in convincing fashion, while
Brennan Boyajian added to his impressive collection, earning his
eighth at the USTA Spring National 18s Championships in Mobile,
Alabama last week.
19-Mar-2007
March Hot 100 List
Today we release the March edition of the Hot 100. The
Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have improved their rankings dramatically during
the past month.
16-Mar-2007
Corwin Leaving Kalamazoo, Taking USTA Position
Timon Corwin, Tournament Director of the USTA Boys 18 and 16 National
Championships in Kalamazoo and men's tennis coach at Kalamazoo College
since 1994, announced last weekend that he would be leaving those
positions to join the USTA Player Development staff as Senior Director
for Junior and Collegiate Competition in May.
15-Mar-2007
Countdown: Girls' War Room
Our Countdown to Signing Day kicks off with a look at the Top 100
girls in the senior class. Many of these girls committed during Fall
Signing Week last November, but a number of highly-regarded girls are
still available. We talked with these girls to find out where they
are in their decision process. Find out how your favorite school is
doing...
12-Mar-2007
Countdown to Signing Day
With the NCAA basketball tournaments starting later this week, many
people are scrambling around to fill out their brackets. But high
school seniors and college coaches are scrambling around as well - we
are less than a month away from the Spring Signing Period - when
seniors can sign a National Letter of Intent to play college tennis at
a Division I or Division II school. Today we preview our Countdown to
Signing Day coverage.
8-Mar-2007
Boise State upends Penn at Bronco Round Robin
Unless it's a ski trip, Boise, Idaho isn't a typical spring break
destination. But for the Pennsylvania men's tennis team, it has been a
regular stop during head coach Mark Riley's tenure.
5-Mar-2007
Nature's Rustoleum... Carotenoids!
So far in our discussions about nutrition for the junior tennis
player, we have covered the importance of basic sports nutrition and
the role of Omega 3 fatty acids in controlling the inflammatory
response. In this article, we are going to discuss one of the
athlete's biggest needs - and worst enemies - oxygen!
1-Mar-2007
February Aces
February may be short on days, but it was long on opportunity for
these college and junior tennis competitors. Colette Lewis returns
with the February edition of "Aces".
28-Feb-2007
New Player Feature: Coaches' Visit Statistics
Players and parents - have you ever wondered how many people are
looking at your player profile? Or which coaches are checking you
out? Starting today, you can find out for yourself.
26-Feb-2007
Where Can I Find a Scholarship?
Dede Allen answers the question: "If there is so much money in college
athletics, why can't I get a full scholarship?"
23-Feb-2007
College Tennis - Ready for Spring
The country is finally starting to thaw out, and none too soon. While
many people are awaiting that early spring promised by the
groundhog, no one is more excited than America's college tennis teams.
Join Harry Cicma, host of Tennis Live Radio's College Corner, as he
reviews the Indoor season and looks forward to the heart of spring.
22-Feb-2007
Georgia's Freshmen Step Up to Help Bulldogs Take National Team Indoor Championship
It's rare for a top recruiting class in college tennis to have an
immediate impact. With so many seasoned upperclassmen at top programs,
it may be a year or two before new recruits adjust not only to the
increased strength of play at the collegiate level, but to the
academic and social aspects of college life. This year's University
of Georgia men's team has needed no adjustment period - helping the
Bulldogs capture the school's second straight USTA/ITA National Team
Indoor championship.
19-Feb-2007
February Hot 100 List
Today we release the February edition of the Hot 100. The
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.
16-Feb-2007
Who's Driving the Bus? Talking with Andrew Park
An undeniable love and competitive passion for the game are two
intangible qualities of all great players, and Andrew Park showcases
all of these qualities. Andrew exhibited championship success at
every stage in his career - junior, collegiate, and professional. In
short, he captured the USTA Boys' 18 Hardcourt Nationals at Kalamazoo,
won a NCAA Team Championship with USC, and competed in the Main Draw
of the Men's US Open.
5-Feb-2007
Top Women's Classes - Winter Rankings
Hundreds of high school seniors - including more than half of the Top
100 - have signed or verbally committed to college programs. How many
of these are heading to your favorite school? The Tennis Recruiting
Network brings you its preliminary Winter Rankings of the Top 25
Women's Recruiting Classes.
1-Feb-2007
January Aces
Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com brings you her inaugural "Aces" column
- a periodic column that is new to TennisRecruiting.net. Join Lewis
as she reviews recent highlights from the world of junior and college
tennis.
29-Jan-2007
Top Men's Classes - 2007 Winter Rankings
With the Fall Signing Period behind us, several hundred high school
seniors have already announced their college choices. Some programs
are even done with recruiting for 2007 - having reeled in commitments from
four or more recruits. Today, the Tennis Recruiting Network brings
you an early look at the Top 25 Men's Recruiting Classes.
26-Jan-2007
Panel Discussion: January Admissions (Part 2)
More coaches weigh in on the pros and cons of matriculation in January.
25-Jan-2007
Tournament Reports - Tampa Pro Circuit Futures, Florida 18s Sectional
Starting with a wild card qualifying tournament for the year's first
U.S. Pro Circuit Futures event and ending with a Florida junior
sectional tournament, the 28 courts at Hillsborough Community College
in Tampa, Florida were rarely idle, giving the sun-warmed spectators
an opportunity to compare the different stages of the game side by
side.
22-Jan-2007
Panel Discussion: January Admissions (Part 1)
Ask the Experts is back with the following question: What are your
feelings about January admissions? When is it a good idea? Are there
situations where you would not allow it? What unique challenges do
kids face when they start in January?
19-Jan-2007
Copper Bowl Roundup - The Girls
Julie Wrege files her second report from the Copper Bowl in Tucson,
Arizona. Today's installment features the girls' events.
18-Jan-2007
Eight Intriguing Questions for 2007
Last week, Colette Lewis reviewed the 2006 year in tennis. Today,
she presents a set of eight questions that she is eager to have
answered in 2007.
17-Jan-2007
January Hot 100 List
Earlier this week we released the January edition of the Hot 100. The
Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have improved their rankings dramatically during
the past month.
15-Jan-2007
Copper Bowl Roundup - The Boys
The Copper Bowl is now in its 18th year and is one of the original
USTA Level 3 tournaments. And the Copper Bowl truly lived up to the
"National" name in 2007 - over a thousand players representing all 17
sections and 44 of the 50 states competed in Tucson.
11-Jan-2007
A Look Back at 2006
For the past two years, I've written an Intriguing Questions piece in
January. Part speculation, part prediction, part plain old curiosity,
the 2007 version will surface soon, but before I embark on that, I
thought it might be fun to look back at how the 2006 questions were
answered.
9-Jan-2007
2007 Australian Open Preview
As we look ahead to the start of the upcoming 2007 tennis season there
is plenty to be excited about. At the top of everyone's list is the
first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open. Last year's Aussie
Open saw Amelie Mauresmo win her first Grand Slam. Roger Federer won
his second Australian Open, and his third Grand Slam tournament in a
row. This year's Open should be nothing short of spectacular!
8-Jan-2007
Fats... The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!
Not all fats are the same. Good fats - like lipids, sterols and
essential fatty acids - are absolutely necessary to maintain good
health. Laurie Wexel talks about fats - and their role in the diet
of the tennis player.
5-Jan-2007
Winter Nationals Lives Up to Its Name
On New Year's Day in Arizona you expect chilly mornings and 60-degree
days. But no one expected rain and snow to disrupt two days of play
at the USTA Winter Nationals early in both Phoenix and Tucson. With
only 7" of rainfall due in an entire year, the almost inch of
precipitation was unforeseen. But both tournaments recovered with hard
work from the directors and players, and eight USTA gold balls were
awarded to the singles winners - and eight new doubles champions
were also crowned.
4-Jan-2007
Tomic and Orlik Harvest Jr. Orange Bowl Titles
Colette Lewis reports from the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl tournament
from Coral Gables, Florida. She provides summaries of play in both the
12s and 14s divisions.
25-Dec-2006
Happy Holidays from TennisRecruiting.net!
TennisRecruiting.net wishes everyone the best for the Holiday Season.
And we have a gift for you this year... All members can enjoy some
time off with free Recruiting Advantage privileges for the rest of the
year!
21-Dec-2006
Moving Up With Nick Monroe
For my money, it doesn't get much better than 24 year-old Nick Monroe.
Nick is the quintessential definition of perseverance and willingness
to change - all rolled into one. The former UNC standout has seen
progression in his game from a young age to where it is today, only
198 ranking spots shy of the top 100 ATP.
18-Dec-2006
December Hot 100 List
Today we release the December edition of the Hot 100. The
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.
14-Dec-2006
The Orange Bowl's 60th Anniversary Produces Many Firsts
When the late Eddie Herr organized the first Orange Bowl in 1947, it's
unlikely he envisioned champions from Austria, Bulgaria and Romania
sixty years later, but players from those three countries, along with
one from the U.S., are celebrating victories at the prestigious
international junior tournament now held at the Crandon Park Tennis
Center on Key Biscayne.
11-Dec-2006
Fall Rewind with Harry Cicma
The dust has now settled on the fall college tennis season, where most
college players compete as individuals in tournament play. With the
start of the spring season less than a month away, today is a great
time to visit with Harry Cicma, host of Tennis Live Radio's College
Corner. Cicma takes time to review the fall season - and look forward
to the top teams in '07.
7-Dec-2006
2006 Eddie Herr International
The Eddie Herr International is always a smorgasbord of tennis, and
this year, with over 1750 players from 90 countries, it was an
all-you-can-watch feast for tennis fans.
4-Dec-2006
Conversation with Ken Kigongo
Everyone in tennis seems to have an opinion about whether the top
junior players should opt to play college tennis or jump straight to
the professional ranks. One interesting voice in the crowd is that
of Ken Kigongo - the former standout at Michigan State. I got to chat
with Kigongo this summer about all things tennis - but especially his
decision to get his college degree.
20-Nov-2006
November Hot 100 List
This week we release the November edition of the Hot 100. The
Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have improved their rankings dramatically during
the past month.
16-Nov-2006
Panel Discussion: Future of Men's Tennis
Ask the Experts is back. We asked a panel of former college coaches:
"It seems like several men's tennis programs are eliminated every
year. Will this reduction continue? Or worse yet, will the rate of
eliminations increase? What will men's college tennis look like ten
years from now?"
13-Nov-2006
Kohlloeffel and Cohen Win ITA Indoors
Ben Kohlloeffel and Audra Cohen, named Intercollegiate Tennis
Association's Players of the Year in June, added even more sparkle to
their tennis resumes by capturing singles titles at the ITA National
Indoor Championships in Columbus, Ohio earlier this month.
7-Nov-2006
Signing Week: Girls' Roundup
Yesterday, we heard comments from several senior boys who have made
verbal commitments. Today, we hear from the girls. We recently
talked with a number of senior girls who plan to sign LOIs during
Signing Week - which officially begins tomorrow.
7-Nov-2006
Signing Week: Blue Chip Girls Update
As Signing Day gets closer - it is now less than 24 hours away - the
verbal commitments pour in faster and faster. Several of the
Blue Chip girls have committed during just the past couple of weeks.
Let's take a look at where these girls are in their decision process.
6-Nov-2006
Signing Week: Blue Chip Boys Update
Last month we reported on the the recruiting status of the 2006 Blue
Chips. At the time, only five boys had committed, and only half had
finalized their official visits. Today we update you on their
progress.
6-Nov-2006
Fall Signing Week '06 - Boys' Roundup
Signing Week has finally arrived, and we are only 48 hours away from
"The Big Day". Take a look at our coverage schedule - and hear
comments from boys across the nation in our Boys' roundup.
1-Nov-2006
USTA/ITA One-Day Showdown Schedule
The USTA is teaming with the ITA to promote One-Day Showdowns on
college campuses throughout the United States. Find a Showdown
in your area - or at a college of interest.
31-Oct-2006
Tennis Against Breast Cancer
The 14th Annual Tennis Against Breast Cancer Tennis Challenge took
place on Sunday, October 29th at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club in New
York City. Davis Cup Captain Patrick McEnroe was on hand to kick off
a fun day of tennis with participants and local top junior players
Lindsay Clark and Laken & Carlissa King.
30-Oct-2006
Nutrition Secrets for the Junior Tennis Player
Our newest contributor, Laurie Wexel of Healthy Tennis, checks in
with a discussion of nutrition for the junior tennis player. Wexel
talks about appetizing ways to replace fast and fried foods with
healthy alternatives.
25-Oct-2006
Recruiting Monthly Newsletter
This issue of Recruiting Monthly announces a new website service that
allows you to purchase high-resolution photographs. We also announce
our "Countdown to Signing Day" coverage - and we invite seniors to
participate in this article series.
23-Oct-2006
College Tennis for Middle School?
Dede Allen answers the question:
"I'm in middle school and I keep hearing my sister and her friends
talk about college tennis. It sounds like something I'd like to do,
but is it too early for me to start thinking about it?"
19-Oct-2006
Countdown: Blue Chip Boys
We continue our Countdown to Signing Day by visiting the boys. We
talked with the Blue Chips from the senior class to find out where the
top boys are leaning in their college recruiting process. How many
have decided? Which players are still wide open?
16-Oct-2006
October Hot 100 List
Today we release the October edition of the Hot 100. The
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-Oct-2006
Countdown: Blue Chip Girls
We lead off strong in our 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 where they are in their decision process. Take a
look and see where things stand...
12-Oct-2006
Tulsa's Brugues Earns School's First Championship on Home Courts
2006 has been a quiet hurricane season meteorologically speaking, but
a storm named Arnau has blown through Division I college tennis.
Golden Hurricane Arnau Brugues showed just what a force he is last
week, when the University of Tulsa junior captured his school's first
national tennis title at the Polo Ralph Lauren Intercollegiate Tennis
Association's All-American Tennis Championships.
9-Oct-2006
Countdown to Signing Day
We are now less than a month away from Signing Day. November 8th 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 is here to keep you up to date on
all the happenings.
29-Sep-2006
Mike Agassi "No Quit" Roundup (Part II)
When Mike Agassi was asked about the "No Quit" tournament, he
responded, "I have been around the world, and I have seen thousands of
junior tournaments. I have seen their faults. I wanted to put on a
tournament that would not have the problems I have seen at other
events. I want this to be the best tournament out there."
28-Sep-2006
Two Local Girls Capture "No Quit" Championships
This was the first year for the Mike Agassi "No Quit" Championships as
a USTA Level 3 national tournament - but you would never have known it
based on the turnout. Over 600 applicants from 28 states applied for
the 256 available spots. Fifteen of the seventeen USTA Sections were
represented in Las Vegas.
25-Sep-2006
Conversation with Jewel Peterson
One of the most decorated players in the history of the USC tennis program is
Jewel Peterson (College Park, Georgia). Peterson led USC to the NCAA
quarterfinals three different times - and to four season-end rankings
of #11 or higher. She was a four-time ITA All-American, a two-time
Academic All-American, and she reached the semifinals of the NCAA
singles championships. We caught up with Peterson last month.
18-Sep-2006
September Hot 100 List
This week we release the September edition of the Hot 100. The
Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have improved their rankings dramatically during
the past month.
15-Sep-2006
Happy Birthday, TennisRecruiting.net!
September 15th. That is a special day on the calendar for the Tennis
Recruiting Network. Exactly one year ago today, the
TennisRecruiting.net website opened its virtual doors for business.
Come review significant dates from our first year.
14-Sep-2006
U.S. Boys Dominate Junior Doubles in New York
For the third straight year, a team from the United States won the
U.S. Open junior boys doubles, and in 2006, that was assured even
before the final was played. Jamie Hunt and Nate Schnugg defeated the
young team of Jarmere Jenkins and Austin Krajicek 6-3, 6-3, in the
first ever all-American boys doubles final.
13-Sep-2006
U.S. Open One for the Ages
The 2006 U.S. Open was one for the ages - all ages. America's
greatest tennis tournament spent the fortnight paying tribute to the
greats of the game: renaming the tennis center in Billie Jean King's
honor, showcasing Andre Agassi's tear-filled goodbye and welcoming
Martina Navratilova to the Court of Champions only hours after she won
the mixed doubles crown, the 59th Grand Slam title of her long career.
11-Sep-2006
Panel Discussion: Balancing School and Tennis
In this installment of Ask the Experts, we ask former college coaches:
"Is it possible to play college tennis while pursuing a 'challenging
major,' or do you discourage and/or set off-limits certain courses of
study? How does this all fit in with the spirit of the
scholar-athlete?"
8-Sep-2006
2006-07 College Preview with Harry Cicma
Noone knows college tennis better than Harry Cicma. The host of
Tennis Live Radio's College Corner takes time out from his busy schedule
to talk about the upcoming 2006-07 season. As the academic year gets
underway, find out which teams are on the way up - and which teams
will contend for the title in '07.
7-Sep-2006
Litvak Almost Harvard-bound
Harvard would have to wait as New York girl Lena Litvak made her debut
at the 2006 US Open Junior Championship.
4-Sep-2006
Welcome, Class of 2013!
The first week of September. School is back in session,
and the fall brings a whole new crop of sixth-graders. This week's
rankings at the Tennis Recruiting Network are the first of the 2006-07
season - and they also mark the arrival of the Class of 2013.
1-Sep-2006
New Pro Learns Lesson
Bob Greene took in a mid-day match yesterday in New York at Louis
Armstrong Stadium Court - watching Lauren Albanese's loss to #6 seed
Svetlana Kuznetsova.
31-Aug-2006
Early Action, Early Decision, and Rolling Admission
"I keep hearing about early decision, early application and rolling
admission. I'm getting confused - can you explain the difference?
How does signing early for athletic scholarships play into the
scenario?"
30-Aug-2006
Recruiting Monthly Newsletter
This issue of Recruiting Monthly highlights our new featured photo
galleries. We also announce the 2006 tournaments where we plan to
shoot photographs, we review an unprecendented month of junior tennis
content, and we remind players to verify their player records for our
upcoming Top Prospect ratings.
25-Aug-2006
Long Day, Short Stay At U.S. Open
AP Writer Bob Greene is back at the U.S. Open in New York. Yesterday
he watched 16-year-old phenom Jamie Hampton's match in the U.S. Open
women's qualifying tournament.
21-Aug-2006
Girls' 16 Nationals Wrapup
Erik Boal of the Los Angeles Daily News checks in with a roundup of
last week's Girls' 16 Nationals from San Diego.
18-Aug-2006
Girls' 18 Nationals Roundup
Alana Marcu returns with a wrap-up of the Girls' 18 National Championships from San
Jose, California.
17-Aug-2006
Top Seeds Take Different Routes to Kalamazoo Championships
The championship match in the boys' 16s USTA Nationals in
Kalamazoo, Mich. was a nearly three hour thrill-fest, with top seed
Brennan Boyajian defeating Ryan Thacher 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5) to capture
the title. Donald Young won the 18 division without lifting a racquet
when second seed Jesse Levine was unable to play in the final due to
illness.
15-Aug-2006
Photographs at TennisRecruiting.net
Have you checked your player profile lately? Did you scroll all the
way down to the bottom? There might be something new there waiting
for you. Late last week we introduced photo galleries for over 1,000
players. Enjoy action shots from tournaments our photographers have
captured over the past year.
14-Aug-2006
August Hot 100 List
Today we release the August edition of the Hot 100. The
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.
4-Aug-2006
Girls' 18 Nationals Preview
Alana Marcu previews the Girls' 18 National Championships from San
Jose, California.
3-Aug-2006
Kalamazoo's U.S. Open Blue Courts Welcome Nation's Top Juniors
Now in its 64th year in Kalamazoo, Mich., the "Nats at the Zoo" have
served as a proving ground for the best junior boys in the United
States. Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Andre
Agassi, Pete Sampras and Jim Courier have all competed on the Stowe
Stadium courts prior to winning Grand Slam titles. Action begins
Friday in the USTA Boys 18s and 16s National Championships.
28-Jul-2006
Burdette Wins USTA National Clays
Unseeded Mallory Burdette, a wild card entry, won the title at the
USTA Girls 18 National Clay Court Championships with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
victory over 17th seed Mallory Cecil in Memphis.
27-Jul-2006
Boyajian, Venus Grab Titles, Pro Tournament Wild Cards
Bob Greene provides a summary of both the 16s and 18s events from
last week's USTA National Clay Court Tennis Championships.
24-Jul-2006
Top Mid-Major Men's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network continues its rankings of mid-major
recruiting classes. This article includes the Top 25 mid-major men's
recruiting classes for 2006.
21-Jul-2006
Top Mid-Major Women's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network presents its first-ever recruiting class
rankings for mid-major conferences. Today we present the Top 25
mid-major women's recruiting classes for 2006.
20-Jul-2006
College Freshman Orientation
With freshman year only a month away for the Class of 2006, this is
the time of year when I frequently hear the question: "Is it important
to attend freshman orientation?" I highly recommend it.
17-Jul-2006
July Hot 100 List
This week we release the July edition of the Hot 100. The
Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have improved their rankings dramatically during
the past month.
14-Jul-2006