13-May-2013
Don Johnson Brings Experience to Vstrator
Donald Johnson turned a successful college tennis career at North
Carolina into a professional stint that brought him to the No. 1
doubles ranking in the world. Today, Johnson works at Vstrator, a
company he helped found that provides video analysis tools for
athletes and has great application to tennis.
30-Apr-2013
University of Illinois Readies for First NCAA Tennis Championship
It seems as if Stanford and Georgia (with a little Tulsa and College
Station) have served as hosts of the NCAA Division I Tennis
Championships over and over during the last decade. That's about to
change as the tournament makes its way to the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign. It's the first time the school is hosting - and
the first time the tournament has been in the Midwest since 1998.
19-Apr-2013
Spring Signing Week '13: Dave Bacalla to Valpo
Illinois native Dave Bacalla won't be going far when he starts college
next fall. He has decided to stay in the Midwest and play for the
Valparaiso Crusaders in Indiana.
15-Apr-2013
Spring Signing Week '13: Academic Alert
Whether you are signing to join a team in the fall or are just
starting to think about doing it in the future, you need to make sure
your academics have a high level of priority. Regardless of how great
your tennis is, you still need good grades to get into college.
14-Mar-2013
Canadian Levine Remains a Gator
Jesse Levine was a top U.S. junior who was on the cusp of turning
professional when he decided to give college tennis a whirl. He
brought his talent to Florida, where he was named ITA National Rookie
of the Year before turning pro after his freshman year. Now ranked No.
97 in the world, Levine will compete for Canada in their Davis Cup
quarterfinal tie against Italy next month.
10-Dec-2012
Familiar Faces at JSM Champaign Challenger
Lots of familiar faces returned to the JSM Champaign Challenger at the
University of Illinois' Atkins Tennis Center as the USTA Pro Circuit
event welcomed players that had seen these courts during both college
and junior events.
14-Nov-2012
Fall Signing Week '12: Jamie Loeb to Wear Carolina Blue
Jamie Loeb's consistent placing in the top five of the recruiting
rankings is not something anyone has ever questioned. She's been
looked at as a blue chip recruit even before she was officially given
that label and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels will happily
welcome her onto their team next fall.
13-Nov-2012
Fall Signing Week '12: How Important is the Coach in your Decision?
How many times have you heard players say they signed with schools
because they love the coach? It happens all the time, and there is
nothing wrong with it. You should love the coach of the team you want
to join. On the other hand, loving a coach should never be your sole
decision maker when it comes to college tennis.
12-Nov-2012
Fall Signing Week '12: UCLA Bruins Strengthen Roster
It's been seven years since the UCLA men won the NCAA Division I Team
Championship, and they are looking to dethrone Pac-12 rival USC, who
have won the last four titles. The Bruins have taken a step closer to
this goal with the commitments of three Blue Chip recruits to the
2013-14 team.
3-Oct-2012
Success for First Nesquik "Little Mo" Internationals in Forest Hills
It was once home to the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, but the West
Side Tennis Center in Forest Hills, New York, served as the venue this
year for the inaugural Nesquik "Little Mo" Internationals. The "Little
Mo" Internationals in December have been such a big success that the
Maureen Connolly Brinker Foundation decided to add this event in
August - during the same time as the Qualifying of the U.S. Open
Championships.
25-Sep-2012
Rhyne Williams Matures with the Vols and Hits Pro Circuit
As a junior tennis player, the two things Rhyne Williams was most
known for was his superior talent and his wild temper. As an
18-year-old, Williams chose college tennis at Tennessee over
professional tennis. After a successful run for the Volunteers as
a sophomore - winning the Indoors and reaching the finals of the
NCAA tournament - Williams felt the time was right to turn pro.
24-Sep-2012
Life in the Pros for Christina McHale
Making the decision to turn professional is never easy for anyone.
Christina McHale gave it a long consideration before making the move
two years ago. Today, McHale has exceeded her career expectations.
She's currently ranked 24 in the world, has represented the United
States in the London Olympics, and has been a member of four Fed Cup
teams.
9-Sep-2012
Past and Present College and Junior Players Storm U.S. Open Main Draw
While many focused on the veterans at the U.S. Open, such as Roger
Federer and Maria Sharapova, some recent college players and teenagers
were also garnering the spotlight at the U.S. Open. Some came and left
quickly, while others made their names known to the tennis world.
28-Aug-2012
College and Junior Players at the US Open Qualifying
The U.S. Open Qualifying showcased lots of young guns for the first
year that the event was televised (on the CBS Sports Network). In the
end, a few ended up making it all the way through, while others gave
it their best shot.
21-Aug-2012
TJ Pura Picks Blue Devils
Blue Chip Thomas (TJ) Pura has decided to stick with the color that
suits him and will be heading to the Duke Blue Devils next fall.
While Pura still has to make it official with the signing of a letter
of intent in November, he was seen in Kalamazoo sporting a Duke hat.
17-Aug-2012
Duval Takes Nationals & U.S. Open Wildcard
When it comes to San Diego, you can always count on the weather.
Though it was a bit more hot and humid than expected, not a drop of
rain fell on the George E. Barnes Tennis Center. What did fall were
the seeds. It was survival of the fittest, and in the end, Victoria
Duval was the last player standing among a host of Floridians.
6-Aug-2012
Texas Repeats at USTA Boys' 18 Team Championships
At the national level, all eyes are on the USTA National Championships
taking place this week. But last week was a week for team competition.
Marcia Frost took in the Boys' 18 Team Championships at the University
of Illinois, where USTA Texas repeated as champions when they posted a
come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Midwest section.
2-Aug-2012
Girls' 16 & 18 Nationals Set for San Diego
Past champions of the Girls' 16 & 18 Nationals in San Diego, Calif.,
include Lindsay Davenport, Lisa Raymond, Jennifer Capriati and Tracy
Austin. More recently, 2011 finalist Nicole Gibbs went on to capture
the NCAA singles and doubles titles. 2009 champion Christina McHale is
ranked inside the Top 30 of the WTA and represented the U.S. at the
Olympics in London. What new names will emerge from 2012?
27-Jul-2012
Weather is the Real Winner at Boys 18 Clays
Summertime rain in Florida is not unexpected, but it certainly left
its mark on the USTA Boys' 18 Clay Court Championships. Rain ended the
final matches prematurely - which meant that the gold ball was awarded
by coin flip. Singles finalists Jared Hiltzik and George Goldhoff were
among several players who suffered that fate.
25-Jul-2012
Zhu Takes Title at Boys' 14 Clays
Evan Zhu was the gold ball winner and star of the show at the Boys' 14
USTA National Clay Court Championship, but Johnathan Small was also
front and center and he took home a trio of trophies.
24-Jul-2012
Victoria Emma Comes Back for More Gold
In 2011, Victoria Emma left the Girls' 12 USTA National Clay Court
Championships with a plaque for winning the Gold Consolation. This
year she came back to try again, and this time she left with a
different gold prize. Emma defeated Ellie Douglas in the final by a
score of 6-1, 6-7(2), 6-2 to claim her first national title.
27-Jun-2012
Rubin Conquers Clay and Gets Ready for Grass
Noah Rubin has earned his place at the top of the rankings. The
16-year-old phenom from Long Island, N.Y., ranked 14th among juniors
internationally, reached the quarterfinals of the French Open Juniors.
This week, he has his sights set on Wimbledon.
20-Jun-2012
Page Heading to Orange and Blue
Just as they get ready to host the next NCAA Division I Championships,
the Fighting Illini also secured the No. 6 position of the Men's
Recruiting Class rankings with the addition of Blue Chip Brian Page,
Jr.
15-May-2012
Illini Pull Out All Stops to Reach Sweet Sixteen
The University of Illinois once again hosted the first two rounds of
the NCAA Division I Championships, but this year it was a really close
one - both getting there and getting out. The Illini advanced to the
Sweet 16 with a 4-3 victory over Auburn.
12-Apr-2012
Spring Signing Week '12: Watch that Status!
When it comes to getting ready to go to college, you spend hours
perfecting your essay and sending letters to prospective coaches. You
have also (hopefully) watched yourself carefully on the court to make
sure your behavior won't turn a coach off. The one thing that many
players forget is that they also need to watch themselves online.
12-Apr-2012
Spring Signing Week '12: Zhang Heads to the Maroons
Gordon Zhang won't have much of a commute when he goes home from
college for the holidays. The Lisle, Illinois, native has decided to
stay close by and play for the University of Chicago.
27-Mar-2012
Countdown: Patrick Heads to Hawkeyes
As a five star recruit, Dominic Patrick had quite a few schools
interested in him. The 18 year old has checked his favorites out and
made the decision to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes starting this fall.
21-Nov-2011
Alex Jesse Joins the Illini
Alex Jesse will be staying in the Midwest and joining the Fighting
Illini tennis team next fall. The Blue Chip recruit had a number of
options since he has been consistently at top of the national rankings
over the last few years. It has all been a result of his solid
tournament play in both singles and doubles.
11-Nov-2011
Fall Signing Week '11: Elbaba Commits to UVa
Julia Elbaba has certainly earned her Blue Chip status. Her results
have given her a top ten position in the Babolat rankings. With all
this success came quite a few college tennis opportunities for the
petite 17 year old, and she took her time weighing her decision. Just
this week, Elbaba finally made her decision to join the Virginia
Cavaliers.
7-Nov-2011
Fall Signing Week '11: Li Stays in New Jersey for Rutgers
Gina Li's search for the right college team led her across the
Northeast, but she ended up landing back in New Jersey at Rutgers
University, an NCAA Division I school. The coaching staff, proximity
to home, and academic reputation of Rutgers convinced the seventeen-year-old
Li to become a Scarlet Knight.
28-Oct-2011
Countdown: Zach Mueck Heads to the Musketeers
Five star recruit Zach Mueck has chosen to stay in his native Ohio and
play for the Xavier Musketeers. The West Chester native won't have
far to travel to the Cincinnati school, which is part of the Atlantic
10 Conference.
12-Oct-2011
Countdown: Should I Sign in November?
November 9th - Signing Day - is the first day of the one-week fall
signing period. The fall signing period is the only opportunity
this calendar year for seniors to sign a National Letter of Intent
with a Division I or Division II school. If you are interested in
such a school, should you sign an NLI? What are the pros and cons?
In today's article, Marcia Frost addresses this question.
29-Aug-2011
From Judo to Tennis, Luca Corinteli takes the lead
Luca Corinteli has made it to the top of the national rankings and
recently won the title at the USTA National Boys' 16 Clay Courts. It
was his first Gold Ball for singles, but certainly not the only first
prize he's taken. Corinteli has many trophies on his mantle from a
sport that most tennis players know nothing about - Judo.
24-Aug-2011
Gibbs Welcomes Return to Stanford
While the vast majority of the players at the USTA Girls' 16 & 18
Nationals were either looking at colleges for the future or getting
ready to start their freshman year, Nicole Gibbs was preparing to
return to Stanford University for her sophomore year.
18-Aug-2011
Davis and Porter Take Top Prizes, Open Wildcards
The George E. Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, California, was the
home of the USTA Girls' 16 and 18 Nationals for the second straight
year. 17-year-old Lauren Davis defeated familiar opponent Nicole
Gibbs, 7-6(3), 1-6, 6-4, to take the 18s title and U.S. Open Wildcard,
while Peggy Porter continued her winning ways with a 7-6, 6-4 match
against Alyssa Smith to win the 16s crown.
8-Aug-2011
Texas Finally Takes Boys' 18 Team Championships
At the national level, all eyes are on the USTA National Championships
taking place this week. But last week was a week for team competition.
Marcia Frost took in the Boys' 18 Team Championships at the University
of Illinois, where USTA Texas defeated the Southern section by a 4-3
margin.
4-Aug-2011
Talented Field Heads to San Diego
What do Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati have in
common with Christina McHale and Melanie Oudin? Each one has been a
highly-ranked American tennis player, but they share something else in
common - they have all picked up trophies at the Girls' Nationals.
29-Jul-2011
Second Chance is a Winner for Alexios Halebian
It was a year ago on this very court at the Delray Beach Tennis Center
that Alexios Halebian lost the Boys' 18 Clay Court Championship to
Bjorn Fratangelo. A lot can change in a year. Upon his return to
this tournament he went from being unseeded to the top seed, and this
time he was able to take home the Gold Ball with a 7-6, 6-4 win over
Brett Clark.
28-Jul-2011
Catherine Bellis Comes Home with Gold
The 12 and under division is the first opportunity a junior player has
to compete on the national level, and it is the time for top players
to set goals. For Catherine Bellis, that goal was to win the top
prize, and she kept her eye on it. Bellis won the USTA Girls' 12
National Clay Court Championships with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Kayla Day
in the final.
27-Jul-2011
Opelka Survives Heat for Title at 14s Clays
The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, was once again the home of the USTA Boys' 14 Clay Court
Championships. In singles, Reilly Opelka posted a 6-2, 6-3 win over
Cameron Klinger in the title match.
4-May-2011
Honoring The Memory of Karie Schlukebir
In 1999, life seemed good for Karie Schlukebir. After a stellar
junior career, Indiana University Coach Lin Loring had recruited her
to play at the Big Ten School. She was in her freshman year and only
18 years old when she was told she had melanoma, but Schlukebir was
not about to let the cancer end her life without a fight.
7-Apr-2011
Countdown: Hamburg Heads to Gophers
Jack Hamburg describes himself as "a guy from nowhere in South
Dakota," but he's certainly been recognized in the world of tennis.
This 10-time state high school champion is getting ready to bring his
skills a bit further east when he joins the Minnesota Golden Gophers
in the fall.
2-Mar-2011
Eric Butorac Makes Huge Statement for Division III
Junior players who are focused on turning professional almost
always look exclusively at NCAA Division I schools when they are
considering colleges. But playing in another division doesn't have to
mean you don't stand a chance of having a career in pro tennis. Eric
Butorac is one player who has proven that.
11-Feb-2011
Jasmine Minor Heads to Georgia Tech
Throughout her junior tennis years, Jasmine Minor has always been a
strong player. There never seemed to be a doubt that she would have a
wide range of top colleges to choose from, but she ran into some
obstacles just before her senior year. Those obstacles did not
dissuade Georgia Tech Coach Bryan Shelton, however. Minor recently
committed to play for Shelton's Yellow Jackets in Atlanta.
4-Feb-2011
Sweeps Down Under While Americans Impress
American players made a great showing at the Australian Open Junior
Championships, but in the end it was two tiny countries that claimed
the crowns. An-Sophie Mestach and Jiri Vesely both left Melbourne
winners of both the singles and doubles titles.
22-Nov-2010
Young and Old Illini Meet at Alumni Reunion
The Khan Outdoor Complex of the Atkins Tennis Center was full of
activity this fall as the University of Illinois hosted courts filled
with alumni. The current team took the courts with alumni from the
past dozen years for spirited competition. TennisRecruiting.net
contributor Marcia Frost was onhand to take in the festivities.
20-Oct-2010
Countdown: Xepoleas to the Boilermakers
As a blue chip recruit, Lynda Xepoleas had quite a choice of where to
go to school. When she narrowed down her list of schools, the finalists
came as a surprise to some. This Southern California girl skipped the
PAC-10 and decided to go to the Midwest - specifically Purdue.
Lynda Xepoleas article placeholder.
12-Oct-2010
Countdown: Making the Most of Official Visits
It's fall. For many high school seniors who haven't yet made up their
minds about school, that means official visits. An official visit is
one in which your expenses are paid for by the college. Since there
is no right or wrong way to run a college tennis team, you need to
find out if a particular coach and program works for you. Here are
some things you can find out during a visit that can have a major
influence on your college experience.
7-Sep-2010
Young Players Preview Future at U.S. Open
It wasn't just the top players in the world spectators got to see when
they came to the first week of the main draw U.S. Open Championships.
They also got a glimpse of the future of American tennis - and it was
looking pretty bright.
31-Aug-2010
Harrison and Falconi Survive U.S Open Qualifying
There were many years when the USTA presented U.S. Open wildcards to a
host of young players. An emphasis on the importance of college
tennis has grown in recent years, and the Qualifying wildcards for 2010
reflected that. With the exception of 15-year-old Krista Hardebeck -
who had proven herself on the junior and professional courts this year
- the players chosen were more experienced.
6-Aug-2010
Florida back in first at USTA Boys' 18 Team Championship
It's been a long time since the team from the Florida section held up
the trophy at the USTA Boys' 18 Team Championship, but they were back
in the winners' circle this year with a steamy finish. Florida
defeated the Midwest section 4-3 at the University of Illinois' Atkins
Tennis Center.
30-Jul-2010
Fratangelo Returns to Winners' Circle in 18s
There is a lot at stake at the USTA National Boys' 18 Clay Court
Championships. In addition to the USTA Gold Ball, the winner receives
a qualifying wildcard into the ATP World Tour event at Delray Beach in
February - as well as direct entry into the U.S. Open Junior
Championship main draw and a wildcard into a USTA Pro Circuit Futures
event. Second-seeded Bjorn Fratangelo was excited to win all those prizes
with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Alexios Halebian in the title match.
29-Jul-2010
Floridians Take Homecourt Advantage in Girls' 12s
The Polo Club of Boca Raton, an exclusive gated community that boasts
29 Har-Tru courts, was the site for the girls' 12 event of the USTA
National Clay Court Championships. Two Floridians - Sofia Kenin and
Cristina Rovira - marched through the draw and met in the final. The
two had met before, splitting their previous two matches. The rubber
match - and USTA gold ball - would go to Rovira, who posted a 6-2, 7-5
victory in the final.
28-Jul-2010
Top-seeded Kerznerman Rules Boys' 14 Clays
As irony would have it, the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center in Fort
Lauderdale seemed to be the only place in Florida where it was raining
every day enough to disrupt play. The delays didn't bother #1 seed
Daniel Kerznerman or #9 seed Benjamin Tso - who dropped only one set
between them before the finals. Kerznerman took the title with a 6-4,
3-6, 6-2 victory.
17-May-2010
Badgers stop Illini's NCAA Run
With the exception of 2006, when they weren't allowed to host because
of the controversy of the "chief" logo, the Fighting Illini men have
hosted the first rounds of the NCAA Championships a dozen years. This
year, however, the results were very different than they had been for
the vast majority of those events. The Wisconsin Badgers got the job
done.
21-Aug-2009
McHale Sweeps Final Girls' 18 Nationals in Berkeley
After eight days of unusually warm sunshine, the Girls' 18 Nationals
ended with the first sweep in nine years. Third-seeded Christina
McHale was the victor and her ride to the winners' circle wasn't even
very bumpy.
7-Aug-2009
Major Surprises at the Girls' 18 Nationals Not Likely
While there are always upsets along the way, the end is not usually
far from the seeding at the USTA Girls' 18 National Championships, and
this year doesn't look to be much different. Look for one of the top seeds -
Kristie Ahn, Gail Brodsky, Christina McHale, and Lauren Embree - to go
the distance next week in Berkeley.
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.
