text:
That's why, during his address from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy, he didn't mention you or your accusations once.
Why does Don sit out in the cold at the end of the episode—alone on his balcony in his bathrobe?
At a rally in front of the Rayburn House Office Building, demonstrators ran up the stairs and dropped banners from the balcony.
1610s, from Italian balcone, from balco "scaffold," from a Germanic source (perhaps Langobardic *balko- "beam," cf. Old English balca "beam, ridge;" see balk) + Italian augmentative suffix -one. Till c.1825, regularly accented on the second syllable.


text: Business The ABCs of Linux August 27, 2004 If you're tired of paying high prices for software and having your machine filled with viruses and adware, there is an alternative. In this hour, we look at the ABC's of Linux, the open source alternative rapidly gaining in popularity. Listen Loading… Playlist Download Embed Embed Close embed modal <iframe src="http://www.npr.org/player/embed/3875409/3875410" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">

subset: commoncrawl


text:
May 13, 2014
Watch Damon Albarn's New Music Video
Watch Damon Albarn's brand new video for "Mr Tembo," now on YouTube. The song was inspired by an orphaned baby elephant who Damon met in Tanzania, and features the Pentecostal City Mission Church Choir from Leytonstone, London. "Mr Tembo" is from Damon's new solo album, Everyday Robots, available everywhere now.
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text:
Hi, today I'll show you how to edit Magento's core module without messing with core files themselves, or "the right way of doing things".
First of all, I chose Magento's Customer module and its Account controller as an example. First, you need to find it in Magento's Core folder (full path: "app/code/core/Mage/Customer/controllers/AccountController.php").
First step is to create and place folders in your module that will override Magento's core controller. On to that part:
- First, create this file in same folder structure:app/code/local/Inchoo/Coreextended/controllers/Frontend/Customer/AccountController.php. (of course, you can always replace Inchoo with desired namespace, and Coreextended with some other module name, but you'll need to edit the rest accordingly).
- Then create xml for our module located here:app/code/local/Inchoo/Coreextended/etc/config.xml (same analogy as above applies)
- And finally, create this file app/etc/modules/Inchoo_Coreextended.xml.


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School's out for summer and college stars, both current and former, took advantage of their opportunities in Pro Circuit tournaments last month. In addition, two teens added their names to the list of junior slam champions in Paris, while others made their mark on hard courts across the globe.
Full Article
Unlike many college sports, which feature dedicated off-seasons during the year, tennis has very few built-in breaks. As such, it can be tempting for collegiate players to either undertrain or overtrain when away from their coaches and teammates during the summer - both of which can set a student-athlete up for failure when the fall tournament season rolls around. We asked our panel of coaches how they want their players to approach their time away from school.
In 1996, Chris Groer became the first All-America tennis player in the history of Vanderbilt University. He was also Vandy's first Academic All-American in tennis. Tennis remained a constant in his life - playing on the ATP Tour for a few years and now playing recreationally at a high level. We caught up with Groer to talk about his college tennis memories and his thoughts on the college game and its players today.
On Saturday, July 11, the Montgomery TennisPlex will host its 2015 College Tennis Showcase, giving USTA Mid-Atlantic high school players a chance to learn about college tennis and interact with coaches. The showcase will be held at the Montgomery TennisPlex in Boyds, Maryland, and will include both information and on-court sessions.
An Interview with Martin Blackman, General Manager USTA Player Development
If there are hats Martin Blackman hasn't worn in his decades
associated with the sport of tennis, they'd be difficult to spot.
Named General Manager of USTA Player Development in April, Blackman
has a resume that includes experience as player, coach and
administrator. Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com talks with Blackman
about a host of topics related to junior and college tennis.
Conversation with Trinity Star Scott Levy
Scott Levy played tennis for Trinity College in Connecticut back in
the early 2000s, where he was a big contributor for the Bantams.
During his senior season in 2004, Levy posted a 14-2 record in singles
and - with partner Jimmy Ames - a 10-3 mark in doubles. Levy graduated
with career marks of 49-27 in singles and 22-9 in doubles with Ames.
Harry Cicma of NBC Sports chatted with Levy about his experiences with
junior and college tennis...
Unofficial Visits - More Important Than You Think
Some high school students take eight, ten, a dozen unofficial visits
as part of their recruiting process. Some people might think
that's a lot of unofficial visits, but it's really not.
Since there is no limit on unofficial visits, why not take full
advantage of your options?
IMG Academy Foundation Taking Applications for New Nick Bollettieri Scholarship
Nearly four decades ago, legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri
created a unique training environment for aspiring athletes to develop
into leaders on and off the court. This year, through the IMG Academy
Foundation, aspiring tennis student-athletes will have the opportunity
to apply for the Nick Bollettieri Scholarship, created in honor of his
legacy of providing development opportunities for young
2015 Top NCAA Division III Women's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network wraps up its spring recruiting class
rankings with a look at the NCAA Division III women. Today we present
our list of the Top 25 NCAA D-III women's recruiting classes for 2015.
At the top of the list we see the Amherst Lord Jeffs.
Talking with ITA Rookie of the Year Noah Rubin
Wake Forest freshman Noah Rubin was determined to experience college
tennis, even after capturing the Wimbledon boys title and 18s National
title in Kalamazoo prior to starting classes last fall. After a stellar
season that saw him named ITA Rookie of the Year, Rubin has announced
that he will be leaving Wake to focus on a professional career. Colette
Lewis got the chance to talk with Rubin at the NCAA Tournament and then
again briefly after his announcement.
Prince Hot 100 List - June '15
Today we announce the June edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
2015 Top NCAA Division III Men's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network presents its recruiting class
rankings for NCAA Division III conferences. Today we present our Top
25 D-III men's recruiting classes for 2015. At the top of the class?
For the second year in a row, we see the Chicago Maroons.
2015 Top Mid-Major Women's Classes
The recruiting class rankings just keep on coming. Today, The
Tennis Recruiting Network is proud to present the
Top 25 mid-major women's recruiting classes for 2015. Cresting
at the top of our list is the Pepperdine Waves.
An Interview with ITA Rookie of the Year Brooke Austin
Freshmen, even those who are ranked No. 1 in their senior year by the
Tennis Recruiting Network, often need a semester to adjust to life in
a top Division I program. Not the University of Florida's Brooke
Austin. Proving a quick study, the 19-year-old Indianapolis resident
excelled throughout her freshman year, ending it as the
Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Rookie of the Year.
USTA Gives Position on Use of Periscope and Meerkat Live Streaming Apps
Less than three months after the release of live streaming video apps
in Periscope and Meerkat, sports organizations and networks around the
world are giving their positions and setting policy on how these
convenient but controversial apps can be used by fans and others in
attendance at their events. Rick Limpert discusses their use in the
tennis world.
2015 Top Mid-Major Men's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network continues its series of
recruiting class rankings with the first of our mid-major conference
rankings. Today we present the Top 25 mid-major men's recruiting
classes for 2015... and Beware the Broncos.
USTA Midwest Section to Hold College Showcase in Indianapolis
On Friday, June 19, the USTA Midwest
Section will host its 2015 College Showcase, giving students from the
region a chance to learn about the wide range of opportunities in
college tennis. The showcase will be held at the Barbara S. Wynne Tennis
Center, North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, and will
include both information and on-court sessions for high school players.
May Aces Come from College and Junior Stars
From the clay courts of the United States and Italy, to the hard
courts of Texas, Nigeria, Korea and Portugal, these 15
players - juniors, collegians and former college stars - produced
outstanding performances last month, generating buzz throughout the
tennis world.
Talking About the New Balance HS Tennis Championships
We chat with Evan Zeder, Sports Marketing Manager for Tennis at New
Balance, about the 2015 edition of the New Balance High School Tennis
Championship to be held at Harvard University in July.
Roundtable: Weighing in on the Big XII Cheering/Heckling Rule (Part 2)
This past season, the Big XII implemented a "decorum policy"
that allowed college tennis fans to be a bit rowdier - trying to
create an atmosphere closer to college basketball than to Wimbledon.
This topic has been a lightning rod for discussion, and so we checked
in with our panel of college coaches to get their takes...
Top Women's Classes - 2015 Spring Rankings
Last week, TennisRecruiting.net ranked the men's recruiting classes.
Today, we take a look at the women. TennisRecruiting.net is proud to
present its spring rankings of the Top 25 Women's Recruiting Classes.
A couple of new faces have popped into the Top Ten over the past few
months, but the top of our rankings remains the same - with the
Cardinal again reigning supreme.
Ryan Shane and Jamie Loeb Claim NCAA Singles Titles
A tournament plagued by rain ended with a tornado warning and two ACC
champions: North Carolina's Jamie Loeb and Virginia's Ryan Shane. In
championship matches started outdoors Monday at the Hurd Tennis Center
on the Baylor University campus and completed indoors, Loeb defeated
Carol Zhao of Stanford 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, while Shane downed Noah Rubin of
Wake Forest 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-1.
Top Men's Classes - 2015 Spring Rankings
Today we release our spring rankings of the Top 25 Men's Recruiting
Classes. New commitments - including a number of Blue Chip and
international players - have moved a number of teams up and down.
There have been some movers and shakers: six teams are new to the
rankings since the Winter, two programs have popped into the Top 10,
and a new team is Hunkering Down in the top spot...
ITA Summer Circuit Schedule
The ITA Summer Circuit provides college, junior, and alumni tennis
players the opportunity to compete in organized events virtually year
round. Although the primary focus of the circuit is to provide
incoming freshmen and collegiate players the chance to play in the
summer months, these events are "open", so anyone is eligible to
Vanderbilt Women and Virginia Men Claim NCAA Team Titles
The Vanderbilt women had reached the NCAA Division I Team
Championships only once before in the program's history, while the
Virginia men had been to the championship match four of the previous
five years. Yet the disparity in experience made no difference in the
outcomes, with No. 4 seed Vanderbilt defeating defending champion UCLA
4-2 and No. 3 seed Virginia taking down top seed Oklahoma 4-1 at the
Hurd Tennis Center at Baylor University.
Roundtable: Weighing in on the Big XII Cheering/Heckling Rule (Part 1)
Thanks to a conference committee spearheaded by TCU head men's coach
David Roditi, the Big XII implemented a "decorum policy"
this season allowing fans to cheer during points in an effort to
involve those more accustomed to the raucous atmosphere of a
basketball or football game. There has been a lot of discussion in the
tennis world - find out what several college coaches have to say on
the subject...
Prince Hot 100 List - May '15
Today we announce the May edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Previewing the NCAA Division III Championships
Hey there, avid tennis fans! It's been a couple of weeks, but I am
back to write another one of our guest articles for the site as we
head into the biggest time of the year. While the D-I Championships
has gotten a lot of love, there has been a ton of excitement in D-III
Tennis as well as we head into the Elite Eight. I'm going to give you
some quick previews of the 16 teams that will be competing - eight on
the men's side and eight on the women's. Let's get started!
Illini Hold Off Drake for Sweet Sixteen Berth
It was two days filled with rain delays and later than expected
matches. Fortunately, the heavy storms stayed away from the University
of Illinois as the Illini men squeaked by Drake to once again head to
the Round of 16 at the NCAA Division I Team Championships. It will be
their eighth trip in the last 10 years.
Roundtable: Role of the Parent in College Recruiting (Part 2)
Last month, we asked our panel of coaches to give their best advice to
college players and their parents when it comes to navigating the
recruiting process together. Today we have more coaches addressing
the ideal role for the parent during the recruiting process.
NCAA Tournament Roundtable - Part II
The NCAA Division I Tennis Championships start today. The top men's
and women's college tennis programs face off in first-round action across
the country, with all teams competing for tickets to Waco, Texas. and a
spot in the Sweet 16. Check out insights from our college tennis
contributors - and see who they picked as champions.
Q&A with Utah State's Clancy Shields
At age 28, Clancy Shields is a rising star among men's tennis head
coaches. His Utah State team, which went 9-16 in Shields' first season
last year, finished 2015 with an 18-9 record and a second-place finish
in the Mountain West Conference. It was only ten years ago that
Clancy Shields was literally one of the original blue chips - ranked
No. 3 nationally among high school seniors in TennisRecruiting.net's
first-ever rankings. We caught up with Shields toward the end of the
USA Qualifies for Finals of ITF Junior Team Championships
Representing your country at the International Tennis Federation's two
world team championships is a highlight of any junior career. The
cheers, the uniforms, the face painting and the pressure of team
competition all were on display last weekend in Boca Raton, Florida,
where the four teams from the US secured places in the 16-team world
finals this summer and fall.
NCAA Tournament Roundtable - Part I
This weekend, the NCAA Division I Tennis Championships get underway.
64 men's and women's college tennis teams will head to campus venues
around the country to compete in first- and second-round action. The
winners will make up the Sweet 16 and head to Waco, Texas, to compete
for the team title. Today, our college tennis contributors preview
the "Big Dance" of college tennis.
April Aces Show Eye-Opening Results
Former collegians and teenagers from around the world put up some
eye-opening results last month, laying the ground work for even
greater opportunities this spring and summer as Roland Garros and
Wimbledon loom.
ImRecruitable College Exposure Series
The ImRecruitable College Exposure Series is designed to provide
players with a unique opportunity to train like a college tennis
player on court with top U.S. college coaches and play in competitive
matches. Check out the event schedule for the year - starting with the
College Tennis Exposure Camp on campus at Penn June 19-21.
Now Open... May Madness Bracket Challenge
Nothing beats the excitement of the NCAA tournament! For college
tennis fans, May is the time for Madness, and this is your chance to
demonstrate knowledge of the game. With the right combination of skill
and luck, you can earn bragging rights - and great prizes - by making
your picks for the Big Dance!
Reviewing the UAA, and Previewing the NESCAC and SCIAC
Yesterday, our team at Division3Tennis.com brought you a series of
in-depth previews for the upcoming women's conference tournaments, and
it is our pleasure to bring you the men's conference previews and
recaps today. We have a few conferences to cover, so I won't waste any
time on this introduction and get to the meat of this article!
SCIAC/NESCAC Women's Preview and UAA Recap
This is D3NorthEastWomen's, and I'm more than excited to do a joint
article with D3WestWomen's for a preview of the SCIAC and NESCAC
Conference Championships, a recap of the UAA Conference Championships,
as well as a bonus section of a couple of other conference
Coming Soon... May Madness Bracket Challenge
March is so passe. In the world of college tennis, it's all about May -
and May Madness. This coming Tuesday evening, the NCAA will announce the teams
participating in the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Tennis
Championships. Later that night, you can submit your picks in our
fourth annual May Madness Bracket Challenge.
Division III Roundtable - Late Season Report
While Tennis Recruiting has been running its Signing Week coverage,
there have been a ton of great stories in Division III tennis. We've
brought together four of our dedicated D-III writers (three men's and
one women's) to bring you all the updates on this year's season before
we head into the postseason. I hope you enjoy our 'D-III Roundtable'.
Controlling Emotions in Tennis: Maximizing the 20-Second Rule
One of the most common mental struggles I see with junior tennis
players is the inability to control emotions. When emotions are
negative they directly affect a player's focus and match performance.
Patrick Alban of SPMI describes a technique junior tennis players can
use to keep their emotions in check.
Prince Hot 100 List - April '15
Today we announce the April edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Fritz, Liu Win ITF Championships at Easter Bowl
Fantastic weather and unlikely comebacks made the 2015 Asics Easter
Bowl a tournament to remember last week, with the famous Indian Wells
Tennis Garden hosting both the ITF Grade B1 competition and the later
stages of the USTA 12s, 14s, and 16s championships.
Spring Signing Week '15: Role of the Parent in College Recruiting
The college tennis recruiting process can be tough to navigate for the
student-athlete, but it's also new territory for many parents. It can
often be difficult to determine where to offer guidance and when to
let the child take the wheel. While parents undoubtedly want the best
for their children, it's important that they allow the coach/player
relationship a chance to grow. We asked our panel of college coaches
about the role of the parent in recruiting...
Spring Signing Week '15: Recruiting Strategy and Tips for Unsigned Seniors
Signing Week is underway, and it is an exciting time for players and
their families who are making college commitments. But what happens
when you don't have a college secured? There is no reason to panic. The
signing period that starts this week runs through August, and hundreds
more players will commit during this time. You just need to know how to
best proceed...
Spring Signing Week '15: National Roundup
Signing Week is now underway, and tomorrow seniors can start signing
their National Letters of Intent. Today, we check in with boys and
girls from across the country who are heading to a variety of schools.
Find out how they came to their decisions... in our National Roundup.
Spring Signing Week '15: Signing Week Arrives
The second week of April is here - and Signing Week has finally
arrived! We start our coverage of Spring Signing Week '15 with a look
at the uncommitted boys and girls from the top 100. We update you on
a few developments from the past few weeks, and we note that some of
these top recruits plan to announce their college choices this week in
our coverage.
Blumberg, Kenin Take ISC Grade 1 Titles; Crawford, Subhash Claim 16s Championships
A week of beautiful Southern California weather ended on a high note
for four US players, who left the Stubhub Center in Carson with
International Spring Championship titles. Top seed William Blumberg
and No. 2 seed Sonya Kenin earned their first ITF Grade 1 titles with
victories over international opponents, while Oliver Crawford and
Natasha Subhash took the 16s singles championships in all-American
Countdown: SFA Interviews Virginia Tech Coach Thompson
In his 17th season as the Virginia Tech Men's Tennis Coach, Jim
Thompson has done his fair share of recruiting. He sat down with SFA
to discuss different aspects of the recruiting process and what he
looks for in potential recruits.
Countdown: Three Recruiting Pitfalls to Avoid
It is that time of the recruiting process again where the majority of
student athletes are about to make the decision on what university to
attend. This time can be filled with anxiety involving recruiting
visit experiences, unexpected scholarship shortfalls, and admission
uncertainties. So - what are the three common recruiting pitfalls that
students encounter year in and year out? Read to find out...
March Aces Feature Junior Champions
Although the college dual match season is in full swing, most of the
March highlights come courtesy of the juniors. Two 14-year-olds
dazzled with their performances, while those just a few years older
also found success on among their peers and their elders.
Countdown: Coach Roundtable on College Transfers (Part 2)
Last month, we asked our panel of college coaches about transferring.
Why do so many student athletes transfer from one school to another -
or quit their sports altogether? In today's roundtable article, more
college coaches weigh in with their thoughts...
Gamma Partners with Tennis Recruiting Network on Countdown to Signing Day
GAMMA Sports (GAMMA) is continuing its sponsorship of Tennis
Recruiting Network by becoming the title sponsor of "Countdown to
Signing Day" and "Signing Week" featured content areas.
Countdown: Previewing the Top 100 Boys
Last week, we checked in with the girls. Today, the top boys in the
senior class update us on their college recruiting. Find out where
the Top 100 boys are leaning, and how many of them have already made
their decisions.
Countdown: Conversation with Williams Champ Urban
It's been a few years since Lex Urban walked the campus of Williams
College in Massachusetts. Back in the early 2000s, Urban served as
captain of the Ephs Men's Tennis Team that won the NCAA Division III
National Championship in both 2001 and 2002. After graduating, Urban
spent a year doing community service in AmeriCorps - and he now is a
practicing lawyer in Washington, DC. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports chatted
with Urban about all things college tennis...
Countdown: Recruiting - the D-III Perspective
As the tennis season kicks into high gear, the team at
Division3Tennis.com goes off the court to bring you inside the minds
of two prominent D-III coaches. The coaches comment on coaching, recruiting, and D-III tennis in general. Enjoy!
ITF International Spring Championships Mark Decade of Excellence
Many a top professional player has found success on the hard courts of
the International Tennis Federation Grade 1 International Spring
Championships, which begin next week at the StubHub Center in Carson,
California. Colette Lewis talks with tournament director John
Lansville and others about the past decade since the event has been
held in California.
Countdown: Previewing the Top 100 Girls
Many of the top girls committed during Fall Signing Week last November,
but a number of top targets were still available. We talked with many
recruits in the Top 100 to find out where they are in their decision
process. Some have decided, some have narrowed their lists, and many
are still wide open.
Former College Stars, Juniors Take BNP Paribas Open Challenge
It's one of the longest of longshots in tennis. Winning six or seven
straight matches to reach just the qualifying stage of an ATP or WTA
tennis event is considered a longshot. Thousands now try it each
summer with the USTA's U.S. Open National Playoffs, and a couple
hundred more try it each year in Indian Wells, Calif., as the people
behind the BNP Paribas Open host the BNP Paribas Open Challenge.
Several junior and college stars are among them.
Prince Hot 100 List - March '15
Today we announce the March edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Angels and Patriots Win Titles at Wet USTA Spring Team Championships
Declaring Mother Nature the winner at the second annual USTA Spring
Team Championships in Mobile, Alabama would be appropriate, as rain
disrupted play on all four days of competition, requiring shortened
formats throughout. But when a steady rain ended play on the final
day, two teams - the Angels and the Patriots - did claim their gold balls.
Countdown to Signing Day
It's that time of year... Signing Day is approaching. April 15 is
the first day of the Spring Signing Period - when seniors from around
the nation can sign on to play college tennis at Division I or
Division II schools. And once again, The Tennis Recruiting Network
and GAMMA are ready with the Countdown to Signing Day.
Checking in with Former USC Standout Amanda Fink
It's been 10 years since Amanda Fink was a Blue Chip senior. Fink went
on to be a two-time All-American at USC and competed
professionally for almost three years - rising into the Top 300 in the
world. TennisRecruiting.net recently caught up with Fink, who is now a
teaching pro, and she lets us in on the most under-utilized training
strategy for junior players.
Is a Post-Graduate Year a Good Idea for Me?
There are many reasons why prospective college tennis players, in
partnership with their parents, might consider taking an extra year
before starting college. A gap year can certainly provide extra time
to improve academic standing, physical or emotional maturity, and/or
level of play with the hope of providing more options. But what are
the implications? And what should you do with that year? Knowing the
rules and planning ahead is critical in making a sensible decision.
College Coaches Forum
Some junior tennis tournaments include college forums
where junior tennis players and their parents can learn about the
college recruiting process. One such forum took place at the USTA
Southern Sectionals in Rome, Ga., earlier this year. Get some of the
tips from that forum - and find out what they are all about...
Indoor Champions Headline February Aces
With four college team indoor championships on the February schedule,
there was no shortage of notable performances at the collegiate level.
But another group of much younger players also stepped into the
spotlight in venues across five continents.
Trinity, Hopkins Take Titles
It's been a whirlwind the past two weeks with both the Men's and
Women's Indoor Nationals being completed in the Midwest. This article
will go through some details regarding the tournament, but I do think
this was the best Men's Indoors to date, and the Women's Indoors
provided some amazing matches as well. Without further ado, let's get
into the details behind both awesome weekends just in case you missed
Transitioning to College with Chris Eubanks
Freshman Chris Eubanks grew up in Atlanta where he is now attending
Georgia Tech. Lisa Stone of ParentingAces.com spoke with him about
the challenges of transitioning from junior tennis to Division I
college tennis.
Top Prospects '14-'15 - Spring Edition
Three Star Recruit? Or Four Star? You can find out right now,
as The Tennis Recruiting Network proudly presents the Top Prospects for
Spring 2015.
Talking with Michael Joyce - Part 2
Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com got the chance to talk with former
tennis player and now coach Michael Joyce earlier this month in
Midland, Michigan at the $100,000 Dow Corning Tennis Classic. This
is Part 2 of their conversation.
Talking with Michael Joyce - Part 1
Michael Joyce is best known to tennis fans now as the former coach of
five-time slam champion Maria Sharapova. Prior to his coaching stint
with Sharapova however, the 42-year-old Southern Californian had his
own distinguished career, winning the USTA Boys 18s Nationals in 1991
and reaching an ATP career-high ranking of 64 five years later.
Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com got the chance to talk with Joyce about
about his years with Sharapova, his coaching philosophy, his current
work at a tennis academy, and much more...
ITA D-III Women's National Indoors Preview
It is my pleasure to bring to you a preview of the
2015 ITA Division III National Women's Team Indoor Championships.
The ITA Women's Indoor Championships is a fairly new event, with the
first tournament taking place in 2009. The 2015 event is taking
place in Indiana and will be hosted by DePauw. Let's take a look
at the field for the tournament that gets underway this weekend...
Coach Roundtable: Transfers in College Tennis (Part 1)
Each year, a significant number of college tennis players quit tennis
before they have exhausted their eligibility - or transfer from one
school to another. We put the question to our panel of college
coaches: Why is the case? What can be done to minimize the chances of
giving up on a program - and what should high school players do to
ensure a good fit?
Oklahoma Wins ITA Men's Indoors With Victory Over USC
Oklahoma sophomore Alex Ghilea was the man of the hour at the ITA
Division I National Men's Team Indoor Championship. Ghilea, from
Neamt, Romania, clinched the Sooners' victories in the semifinals and
championship matches with comeback wins at No. 5 singles at Midtown
Athletic Club in Chicago, Ill. Second-ranked Oklahoma defeated No. 11
Baylor 4-2 in the semifinals before knocking off the USC Trojans by
the same score to take the title.
ITA D-III Men's National Indoors Preview
While the Division I National Indoors wrapped up yesterday, there is
plenty more great tennis to follow as Gustavus Adolphus hosts the
Division III National Indoor Tournament this upcoming weekend. Eight
teams that have all played at Indoor Nationals previously are
featured, making this a truly loaded Indoors field. Take a look at
what is in store for the D-III men...
Prince Hot 100 List - February '15
Today we announce the February edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Catching Up with Gator Great Lauren Embree
Lauren Embree had one of the most successful collegiate careers in
Florida history, leading the Gators to back-to-back NCAA titles in
2011 and 2012. Now living in Santa Monica, Embree has begun the year
on the USTA Pro Circuit, where she has competed in four tournaments in
the past month. At the $100,000 Dow Corning Tennis Classic in Midland, Mich.,
last week, I spoke with her about her return from injury, what she
misses about college tennis, and her goals for 2015 and beyond.
PlaySight to Live Stream the ITA Division I National Men's Team Indoor Championship
With a long history dating back to 1973, the National Team Indoor
Championship hosts the top 16 teams in the country, all of whom
qualified for the event by beating other top ranked teams in two
qualifying rounds. PlaySight will be live streaming the event from
February 13 - 16. Find out more here...
The Freshman 35 - Freshmen to Watch in D-III Tennis
In Division III tennis, freshmen play a key part in a team's success.
Just last year, four freshmen were named to our Division III All-NCAA
Men's Teams. On the women's side, freshmen took the year by storm -
holding down tons of roster spots across the Top 5 teams in the
country. With freshman recruits making such a big impact, let's take a
look at 35 players new to D-III this year who might influence the 2015
Tar Heels Win Second ITA Indoor Title in Three Years
As the University of North Carolina mourns the death of iconic
basketball coach Dean Smith, the UNC women's tennis team gave Tar Heel
fans something to savor. UNC won the ITA National Team Indoor
Championships' trophy for the second time in three years, defeating
Georgia 4-1 Monday, Feb. 9, in a contest of fluctuating momentum at
Boar's Head Sports Club.
January Aces Features Teens Winning Titles
The year's first major always grabs the headlines, with two juniors
adding their names to the lists of grand slam champions. But while
most eyes were focused on Melbourne, a dozen teenagers captured
important titles in Florida, Hawaii, Great Britain, France and Central
and South America.
Inside College Tennis with Tony Minnis Returns
This weekend, Inside College Tennis with Tony Minnis returns with the
first of three all-new episodes on The Tennis Channel. The television
program, which highlights college tennis programs around the country
of all shapes and sizes, should appeal to the entire
TennisRecruiting.net community. We caught up with host Tony Minnis to
learn what is coming...
Conversation with Former Arkansas Standout Aleksey Bubis
Aleksey Bubis was a top junior tennis player from Palm Harbor,
Florida, in the late 1990s - making the rounds on the USTA Junior
National Circuit. Bubis went on to play college tennis at the
University of Arkansas, where he starred from 1999 to 2003 - still
appearing the the Razorback Record Book for his 28-10 mark
during the 2000-01 season. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports got the chance
to catch up with Bubis at a recent tennis event.
Top Women's Classes - 2015 Winter Rankings
Spring Signing Day is a little over two months away, and coaches are
busy locking up their recruits. A number of highly-ranked seniors
have already made their college choices - they have made verbal
commitments or signed during the Fall Signing Period. Find out which
women's teams are looking good at this point - as The Tennis Recruiting
Network proudly presents the Top 25 Women's College Tennis
Recruiting Classes of 2015.
Oklahoma State Women down Georgia Tech 4-3 in ITA Kickoff
Oklahoma State Coach Chris Young usually counts on his No. 19 ranked
Cowgirls when it comes to the doubles point. But after dropping the
point against the host and No. 18 Georgia Tech at the ITA Kickoff
Weekend in Atlanta, he had to challenge his players. His team
responded - coming back to defeat the Yellow Jackets 4-3 with the
deciding point coming from a come-from-behind victory at No. 6
Columbia Upsets Notre Dame, 4-2, in ITA Kickoff Weekend
The University of Notre Dame men's tennis team knew they would face
stiff competition as they prepared to host the ITA Kickoff Weekend;
what they couldn't have foreseen was a come-from behind upset victory
by another top-16 team. Sunday afternoon, in a match that lasted
almost four full hours, the Irish were toppled by Columbia, 4-2, who
advanced to the ITA Indoor Championships in February with the win.
Top Men's Classes - 2015 Winter Rankings
The end of January is at the midway point between the fall and spring
signing periods. Many high school seniors made formal commitments in
November, and lots more are making verbal commitments every week as we
move towards the spring. With more than 850 commitments, there is no
time like the present to check up on how the programs are doing.
Today, the Tennis Recruiting Network is proud to bring you the Top 25
Men's College Tennis Recruiting Classes.
Xu, Safiullin Target Australian Junior Titles
Eight different players from five countries claimed junior slam titles
last year, with a similar pattern expected in 2015 as the Australian
Open junior championships kick off this weekend in Melbourne.
Racquet Customization a Growing Trend in Junior and College Tennis
As if tennis parents, junior and college tennis players didn't have
enough expense in buying frames, strings, shoes and high tech apparel,
many are choosing to shell out even more cash to have their racquets
customized to preferred specifications.
Prince Hot 100 List - January '15
Today we announce the January edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Eight Intriguing Questions for 2015
It's January... so it must be time for another edition of
"Intriguing Questions" from columnist Colette Lewis.
Today, in the tenth article in as many years, Colette poses eight
questions about junior and college tennis that should be answered
over the coming months.
Q&A with Ed Silver of Penn
Edward Silver was a standout junior tennis player and student when
he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania for the 2002-03 season.
Silver was known for his work ethic and perserverance as a member of
the Penn squad. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports recently got the chance to
talk with Silver about topics around college tennis.
Tips from D-II Players and Parents
At High-Tech Tennis, we're in a unique position because we have access
to information that can help you transition from junior tennis to
college tennis. We have interacted with dozens of junior tennis
coaches who have walked the walk and are now talking the talk to help
you navigate the very exciting - but sometimes confusing - recruiting
process. Here are interesting HIGH-TECH TIPS that might help you if
you're thinking about Division II schools.
An interview with Nick Saviano
Nick Saviano began his storied coaching career at age 28 after winning
two NCAA titles at Stanford and playing the ATP circuit for several
years. After 15 years with the USTA, Saviano started his own tennis
academy, where he can still be found feeding balls to eight-year-olds
with grand slam dreams. Colette Lewis got the chance to talk with
Saviano about many topics around tennis coaching and the game in
Florida ITF Tournaments Lead to December Aces
While most of professional tennis is on holiday, three prestigious
junior tournaments in Florida fill the gap to provide most of
December's top performers. The lists of former winners at the Eddie
Herr, Orange Bowl and Junior Orange Bowl contain many grand slam
champions, so file these names away for future reference.
Top Prospect Spring Ratings Period Starts This Week
Twice a year, TennisRecruiting.net updates its Top Prospect ratings -
sometimes known as "The Stars". Our next update to the Top Prospects
comes in March - and those ratings will be based on players' highest
rankings during the next eight weeks - from the week of January 5 to
the week of February 23, 2015. We invite players to review their player
records to ensure accurate ratings.
Five Vital Tips for Student Athletes in Their College Search
Each year student athletes make the transition from high school to
college. Some student athletes and their families have a good idea of
when and how to start, while others have little or no idea at all.
Regardless of the category you fall in, every athlete can make use of
these five helpful tips...
Osuigwe Stands Tall at Junior Orange Bowl
Whitney Osuigwe began the Junior Orange Bowl 12s tournament unseeded,
but that didn't keep the 12-year-old from ending it as a champion last
week in sunny Miami, Florida. Osuigwe, who trains at the IMG Academy
in Bradenton, avenged a recent loss to Japan's Himari Sato, one of
eight No. 1 seeds in the Junior Orange Bowl 12s, by posting a 6-4, 6-4
win in the championship match at the University of Miami's Neil Schiff
Tennis Center.
Master Your Mental Game with a Paper Clip
As a junior tennis player looking to maximize your game and get
recruited, the last thing you want is to let your passion turn into
anger. Anger is a type of emotion that often translates into poor
performance - and it can turn off college coaches. Patrick Alban of
SPMI describes a technique junior tennis players can use to work
on their mental game.
SFA Interviews Iowa Head Coach Ross Wilson
Ross Wilson, head men's tennis coach at the University of Iowa, sits down with Scholarship for Athletes to talk recruiting and coaching.
Halbauer Makes the Most of Opportunity in Macon
17-year old Ellie Halbauer discovered something about her game at the
USTA Pro Circuit's 50K, Tennis Classic of Macon event in October,
and it is something that all young tennis players would do well to
remember - sometimes it's easier to play when you are down.
American Juniors Shine at Metropolia Orange Bowl
Stefan Kozlov, Sonya Kenin and Sam Riffice made the 2014 Metropolia
Orange Bowl in Plantation, Florida a tournament to remember for US
juniors, with Kozlov and Kenin claiming their first Grade A titles and
Riffice joining exclusive company in adding the 16s championship to
his Eddie Herr title.
Prince Hot 100 List - December '14
Today we announce the December edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
DTS College Exposure Series
The 2015 DTS College Exposure Series kicks off with the 10th Annual
DTS Southern California Showcase January 3rd & 4th at the
Claremont Colleges in Claremont, CA. Other lefs in the series will be
held next summer in New Haven and Boston. Events in the series are the
longest running of their kind - boasting an impressive list of college
coaches. These college exposure events prove to be an invaluable
resource for both student-athletes and college coaches.
Opelka and Galfi Claim Eddie Herr ITF Titles
For the first time in the history of the Eddie Herr International ITF
tournament, two American boys met in the final, with unseeded Reilly
Opelka taking home the title with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over No. 2 seed
Michael Mmoh at the IMG Academy in Bradenton Florida. The girls final,
played earlier in the day, saw No. 7 seed Dalma Galfi of Hungary
defeat No. 5 seed Gabby Ruse of Romania 6-4, 7-5 to earn her second
major junior title in three weeks.
Minor Leagues of Tennis a Proving Ground for Officials as Well as Players
Known mainly for his booming voice over a Stadium Court microphone and
his laid back demeanor, chair umpire Jake Garner is the face of
tennis officiating here in the United States. But in October, Garner
took a break from his regular duties to head to Macon, Ga., to observe
and scout officials at a 50K women's pro event - which is good news
for tennis players of all levels...
Marissa Irvin and A Magical Racquet Ride
Marissa Irvin is one of those rare players who flawlessly made the
transition from the top of the junior rankings to the head of the
college rankings, and on to a fairly successful professional career.
She can now add award-winning author to her resume, but the tennis
book she wrote is not what you might expect.
Helping Bill Kallenberg
Bill Kallenberg has been a long-time friend of Tennis Recruiting.
His photos have appeared in Tennis Recruiting articles for years,
and we recently began working with him more formally - Bill took
photos for TennisRecruiting.net at Kalamazoo this summer as well
as at the U.S. Open. Many of you have seen him at junior tournaments
over the years - and those of you in college have probably met him
as well. Today, Bill is in need...
Doubles Features Prominently in the November Aces
Doubles isn't often highlighted in my monthly review of top
performances, but last month two teams showed just how good the
collegiate product is, with two current student-athletes winning ATP
Challenger titles. A college major, a return to the game and an ITF
Grade A made it another busy month in the world of college and junior
Considering NCAA Division III Tennis
At Tennis Recruiting, one of our early New Year's resolutions is to
provide more and better coverage of Division III tennis. Toward that
end, we sought out the best - and today is the first feature article
from our friends at Division3Tennis.com. Check out this introductory
article - which provides some advice on how to approach the recruiting
process with a focus on D-III schools...
College Tennis Scholarship Evaluations - Enhancing the Recruiting Experience
Around the college tennis community, you will hear a lot of talk about
"realistic and attainable scholarship opportunities" for student
athletes these days. Athletics can open doors, but it is important to
identify colleges that are a good fit for you as a rounded individual.
The key to finding a college fit is knowing your strengths, and that's
where a quality evaluation comes in.
College Recruiting List Ranking Algorithm Changes
Fifty-two weeks a year, Tennis Recruiting publishes College Recruiting
List rankings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Over the coming months, we
are making some modifications to our ranking algorithm that should
make our lists better. Take a look at the changes that start getting
phased in this week.
Bellis, Mmoh Highlight 2014 Eddie Herr ITF Tournament
The 2014 edition of the Eddie Herr ITF features two top American
prospects, with USTA 18s champion CiCi Bellis and recent ITF Grade A
Abierto Juvenil Mexicano champion Michael Mmoh among the contenders at
the prestigious event held annually at the IMG Academy in Bradenton,
Eddie Herr Preview 12s, 14s, 16s
As professional tennis winds down, junior competition heats up in
Florida, with the Eddie Herr International kicking off a busy month of
December for junior tennis players. As hundreds of competitors head to
the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, here's a look at who might
shine next week in one of the world's biggest junior tennis events.
Breakdowns Before Breakthroughs
Andre Agassi survived. So did Novak and Serena. And it brought Andy
Murray to tears on center court at Wimbledon It is considered one of
tennis' greatest challenges. The phenomenon called breakdowns before
Tips from D-I Players and Parents
At High-Tech Tennis, we're in a unique position because we have access
to information that can help you transition from junior tennis to
college tennis. We have interacted with dozens of junior tennis
coaches who have walked the walk and are now talking the talk to help
you navigate the very exciting - but sometimes confusing - recruiting
process. Here are five interesting HIGH-TECH TIPS that might help you if
you've got your heart set on playing Division I.
An Interview with 2013 NCAA Champion and Rising ATP Star Blaz Rola
Football may reign over the sports kingdom at Ohio State, but 2013
NCAA champion Blaz Rola has done his part to raise tennis's visibility
in Columbus. Colette Lewis of ZooTennis talked with Rola at the Champaign,
Illinois Challenger last week covered many topics, including his first
year on tour, his decision to play college tennis, his plans for
off-season training and his schedule for early next year.
Prince Hot 100 List - November '14
Today we announce the November edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Fall Signing Week '14: Balancing Time Between Court and Classroom
With Fall Signing Week at hand, tennis players are faced with the
next challenge: finding time to practice while keeping up in the
college classroom. Brandon Videtich and Will Gilhooly, tennis alumni
at NCSA Athletic Recruiting, share tips and strategies that helped
them maintain a healthy balance in college.
Fall Signing Week '14: Blended Learning and the Student Athlete
With the demands of high performance training and tournament travel,
many top-tier high school student-athletes are finding the balance
between school and sports extremely challenging. The traditional
factory-model setting poses difficulties for many students - but there
are challenges unique to student-athletes who require flexible
arrangements. Enter "blended learning" - which combines
online learning and traditional schooling...
Fall Signing Week '14: How and When to Contact College Coaches II
Players and their families are sometimes unsure of how contact with
college tennis coaches works. Last month, we ran a roundtable article
where coaches commented on these communications. Today we have more
coaches responding to these questions: When should players contact
college coaches? What is the most effective way of reaching out?
Fall Signing Week '14: National Roundup
Signing Week is now underway, and tomorrow seniors can start signing
their National Letters of Intent. Today, we check in with boys and
girls from across the country who are heading to a variety of schools.
Check out how several highly-ranked players came to their decisions...
in our National Roundup.
Fall Signing Week '14: How Young is Too Young to Start Recruiting?
When it comes to college tennis recruiting, one of the biggest fears
parents have is starting the process too late. They are afraid there
will be no more room on the teams and all the scholarships will be
gone by the time their child is recognized. Everyone wants to get
their child in front of coaches before it's too late, but how young is
too young to do this?
Fall Signing Week '14: Overview and Blue Chip Update
With the "Countdown" behind us, on to the main event! We kick off our
coverage of Fall Signing Week '14 with a final look at the Blue Chip
boys and girls. We update you on several commitments over the past
few weeks, and we note that seven highly-ranked recruits plan to
announce their college choices this week - right here at
Countdown: Q&A with Alexandria Livingston of Saint Peters
In 2010, Alexandria Livingston was a standout tennis player at
Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J., who had committed to Saint
Peter's University. Fast forward four years, and Livingston has
completed her college tennis career and graduated from Saint Peter's.
Harry Cicma of NBC Sports recently talked with Livingston about her
college tennis experience.
Countdown: Keeping an Open Mind
When we begin working with a new student athlete, the first assignment
calls for them to reach out to current college players and ask them a
set of questions about their experience as college athletes. One of
the final questions is: 'What advice do you have for my recruiting
process?' Two very common pieces of advice are (1) to be patient and
(2) to keep an open mind about schools.
Eleven Teens Highlight October Aces
October was full of treats especially for the teenagers competing
around the world. Although ITA Division I major champions were crowned
and Australia proved lucrative for one former college player, 11 teens
provided a glimpse of the tennis's future last month.
Countdown: Tips from Junior Coaches
At High-Tech Tennis, we're in a unique position because we have access
to information that can help you transition from junior tennis to
college tennis. We have interacted with dozens of junior tennis
coaches who have walked the walk and are now talking the talk to help
you navigate the very exciting - but sometimes confusing - recruiting
process. Check out these lessons learned about college recruiting
from junior tennis coaches.
Countdown: How and When to Contact College Coaches
Although many serious junior tennis players want to play college
tennis, most do not understand how the recruiting process work. Many
players ask us why coaches are not reaching out to them, and we
explain to them that communications are almost always initiated by
the player. Players then want to know how best to do that. We put the
question to our panel of college coaches: When should players contact
college coaches? What is the most effective way of reaching out?
Countdown: Blue Chip Boys
Last Friday, we visited with the senior Blue Chip girls to find out
how they are doing in the college recruiting process. Today, the boys
get their turn. How many have decided? Which players are still wide
open? And are any of them leaning towards your favorite school? Find
out now...
Countdown: Trending Toward Early Verbal Commitments
In the college tennis recruiting scene, it is becoming more and more
common to hear of verbal commitments to colleges occurring far earlier
than in recent history. In tennis, it is no longer unheard of to see
a player committing to a college during the first half of the junior
year. The prevailing message in the past has been to take one's time.
But while that remains sound advice, players should probably start
engaging in their search process earlier.
Prince Hot 100 List - October '14
Today we announce the October edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Countdown: Blue Chip Girls
We wrap up our first week of the Countdown to Signing Day with a look
at the top girls in the senior class. This year's Blue Chip recruits
talked with us about where they are in their decision processes. It's
still early, but many of the girls are starting to narrow in. Take a
look and see where things stand...
Kingsley, Mmoh Claim ITF Pan American Closed Titles
Raveena Kingsley and Michael Mmoh took entirely different routes, yet
both emerged as champions at last week's ITF Grade B1 Pan American
Closed in Tulsa, Oklahoma. No. 3 seed Kingsley, who defeated unseeded
Claire Liu 6-1, 6-4 in the final, lost only one set in her six
victories, while top seed Mmoh saved match points in the quarterfinals
before taking the title with a 7-5, 6-3 win over No. 9 seed William
Countdown: College Prep Camps and Showcases
College tennis showcases are growing in popularity, mainly because of
the elimination of some USTA national tournaments and reduced draw
sizes. If you want to get recruited for a college tennis scholarship,
exposure is a key component to the process. When deciding whether to
attend a showcase, parents and players always have a lot of questions
and concerns. This article talks about how showcases work and how to
maximize your opportunities.
Countdown: College Placement Tips
Mark Weil of the Weil Tennis Academy has shepherded hundreds of junior
tennis players through the college recruiting process, and he has
collected many valuable experiences during that time. Today, in our
first Countdown to Signing Day article, Weil scattershoots over
college tennis recruiting, talking about how to approach recruiting
- and how to make yourself an attractive recruit to college coaches.
Countdown to Signing Day
In the world of junior tennis, Fall means Signing Day. November 12th
is 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
Interview with USTA National Collegiate Coach Stephen Amritraj
Stephen Amritraj joined the USTA as a National Coach in January of
this year and was recently named its National Collegiate coach.
Amritraj played at Duke from 2002-2006, and after a brief stint on the
tour, began coaching ATP professionals in Southern California, where
he grew up. Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com talked with Amritraj about
the USTA Collegiate Team program which assists American college
players as they transition to professional careers.
ATA Fall Open Wrap-up
The Austin Tennis Academy/TennisRecruiting.net Fall Open, held from
Sept. 26-28, provided 370 junior players, in 33 events, the
opportunity to compete against participants from a variety of locales.
One of almost 40 tournaments in the National Showcase Series presented
by Dunlop, this tournament was hosted by Austin Tennis Academy in Austin,
US Open Juniors and Team Competition Highlight September Aces
Starting with the US Open Junior Championships and ending with the
International Tennis Federation's Junior Davis and Junior Fed Cup
competitions, September was bookended by major international
tournaments in North America. Yet for all the accomplishments of
teenagers from the United States and other countries, current and
former college players also claimed their share of titles on the
professional tours last month.
A Word on Choking
When someone 'chokes' in a tennis match, there is an
assumption that the person is flawed in some way. This is very
misleading. Choking occurs when two separate and very unrelated parts
of the brain are in disagreement as to what action to take. The
ensuing stalemate results in an apparently inexplicable error. Ray Brown
of EASI Academy talks about the science of choking - and how to fight
against it.
Early Versus Regular Signing Period
It is almost that time again. Every November, student athletes from
around the globe and college coaches from all divisions and leagues
get ready to sign the "National Letter of Intent" (NLI) or equivalent.
This is a document which commits the student for the season starting
the following fall semester. This early signing period is increasingly
gaining in popularity, both among players and coaches, but is it best
for everyone to sign early?
Tips on Finding the Right College Program
As you begin the college search process, looking to balance your
academic and athletic needs, there are a few secrets that will help
you find a program that is right for you. Unfortunately, too many
players find themselves in a college tennis program where their game
stagnates, where they are athletically unchallenged, or perhaps find
themselves outside the starting lineup. Here are a few tips to
consider when choosing a college tennis program.
NCAA Champion Nicole Gibbs Moves Up
Nicole Gibbs won her first ITF Women's Circuit title at the age of 14,
finished high school a year early and joined the Stanford Cardinal in
the fall of 2010. After an illustrious career at Stanford where she
won the NCAA team, singles, and doubles titles, Gibbs elected to
forego her senior year and begin her professional career. Fresh off
two main-draw wins at the US Open, Gibbs is now ranked in the Top 100.
Colette Lewis of ZooTennis chatted with Gibbs at the Open.
The Impact of the Scoring System on Coaching
Over the past couple of years, there have been several experiments
with the format of college tennis - no-ad scoring, shortened sets,
third-set tiebreakers. A proposal to move to no-ad scoring for NCAA
Division I was tabled earlier this month. We put the question to
college coaches: What impact does the scoring system have on your
approach to preparing your team?
Coaches Face Challenge of the College Pitch at US Open
School is already in session and the fall tennis season is well
underway, but a number of college coaches were missing the first few
days of team practice in order to scout the next crop of future
players at one of the world's premier tennis events - the US Open
junior tournament. At a tournament of this level, the challenge of
recruiting future players is perhaps a tougher task than what they
typically experience.
First American Collegiate Invitational Popular Addition to US Open
Any tournament with a prize that could include a US Open main draw
wild card will draw the top college players regardless of its venue.
Put that event at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
during the second week of the US Open and interest surges, as it did
for the inaugural American Collegiate Invitational earlier this month.
Prince Hot 100 List - September '14
Today we announce the September edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Unseeded Jasika, Bouzkova Capture US Open Junior Titles
Marin Cilic was undoubtedly a surprise winner of the US Open men's
title, but he was seeded. Australia's Omar Jasika of Australia, who
defeated No. 5 seed Quentin Halys of France 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the boys
final, and the Czech Republic's Marie Bouzkova, who downed No. 9 seed
Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine 6-4, 7-6(5) for the girls championship,
both won US Open junior titles last week despite being unseeded and
ranked outside the Top 30.
How Much Should a Junior Tennis Player Train?
Many junior tennis players spend countless hours on the court. "No
pain, no gain" - as the saying goes. For juniors with developing
bodies, it is easy to overdo it. How much is too much? Valery
Yalouskikh of TennisConsult.com stops by to discuss recommendations
from sports scientists.
August Aces
With one exception, the USTA National champions, all of whom received
an article devoted to their victories last month on Tennis Recruiting
Network, aren't included in this August Aces colum. But another round
of congratulations are in order for Noah Rubin, John McNally, Kylie
McKenzie, William Woodall, Caty McNally, Zane Khan and Katie Volynets
for their championship runs as we look back on the other outstanding
performances in August.
Five Things You Need to Know About the College Recruiting Process
For most junior tennis players, playing in college is the next goal.
Your performance, behavior, and preparation both on and off the court
in high school are getting you ready for college and college tennis.
Here are five things to keep in mind as you think about the future...
Fear in Tennis
Tennis is an eye-to-eye combative sport. Unlike team sports or
individual sports, tennis is an one-on-one combative contest of wills,
stamina and skill. In this respect, tennis stimulates a part of the
brain that is millions of years old and which evolved to ensure our
survival in a primitive hostile environment - and it causes Fear.
Tennis Recruiting Welcomes the Class of 2021
Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer. School starts back up, and
there are new sixth-graders walking the halls. This week's rankings
at the Tennis Recruiting Network are the first of the 2014-15 season -
and they also mark the arrival of the Class of 2021.
Americans Poised to Shine in US Open Junior Championships
While the US men and women haven't had a Grand Slam finalist in 2014,
the country's younger players have had more success in the top level
of international competition, with Noah Rubin winning the Wimbledon
boys title and Stefan Kozlov reaching the final there and at the
Australian Open. With both the top seed and the 2013 finalist in the
girls draw and six of the 16 seeds in the boys draw, the US juniors
are poised for another outstanding showing at the US Open.
Best Wishes, Class of 2014
The high school Class of 2014 had their ceremonies back in June - and
many of those young men and women are now heading off to college.
Today is the day that the Tennis Recruiting Network bids them
farewell. This week's rankings are our final edition for the 2013-14
year - and the final rankings for the outgoing Class of 2014.
Opelka, Kalinskaya Claim ITF International Hard Court Titles
Top seed Anna Kalinskaya of Russia and unseeded Reilly Opelka picked
up their first ITF Grade 1 titles Saturday at the International Hard
Court Championships in College Park, Maryland. Kalinskaya won when No.
2 seed Gabby Ruse of Romania retired trailing 6-2, 2-1, while Opelka
overcame No. 2 seed Tim Van Rijthoven of the Netherlands 4-6, 6-4,
Premiere of Inside College Tennis with Tony Minnis at Wichita State
The Bill Rodman Production Shoppe has completed production of the 4th
episode of Inside College Tennis and premieres on Tennis Channel
featuring Wichita State University. The show premieres tonight,
Saturday, August 23rd at 10pm ET, on The Tennis Channel. Meet Colin
Foster, Head Women's Coach and Brad Louderback, Head Men's Coach is
this episode and come to understand why each coach says: "Our team is
a like family."
Musings on Proposed ITA/NCAA Division I Format Changes
The ITA recently announced a number of changes to NCAA Division I
competition starting this fall. The most notable changes are a move to
"no-ad" rather than traditional scoring and shortening doubles from an
eight-game pro set to one standard six-game set. These changes have
been met with strong feelings on both sides, and there are many
coaches and players on both sides of this debate. This article offers
our thoughts - in the context of many other articles on the issue.
ITA Announces New Division I Dual Match Format
The ITA will be inaugurating a new, shorter dual meet format for
Division I college tennis beginning at the start of the 2014-15
season. Highlighting the format changes are switches to no-ad scoring
from regular scoring, one set of doubles rather than an 8-game pro set
and no warm-up with opponents.
Prince Hot 100 List - August '14
Today we announce the August edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Rubin Collects Two Titles, Two Wild Cards
Noah Rubin's summer went from great to extraordinary in the just over
a month. In July, the 18-year-old New Yorker won the Wimbledon boys
title as an unseeded qualifier. Last week he trumped that with two
titles at Kalamazoo, defeating defending champion Collin Altamirano
6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the singles final, after joining with Stefan Kozlov
to take the doubles championships, and in the process earning two US
Open main draw wild cards.
CiCi Bellis Defeats Black to Claim 18s
Before even stepping onto the court at the USTA Girls' 18s National
Championships, CiCi Bellis had her trip booked to the U.S. Open. But
Bellis wanted an upgrade in her playing status in New York. Instead
of just playing against the juniors, the 15-year-old from Atherton,
Calif., wanted a shot at the professionals. Bellis earned that chance
by capturing the hardcourt title at the Barnes Tennis Center in San
McNally Sweeps 16s Kalamazoo Titles
John McNally definitely had a target on his back entering the 16s USTA
National Championships. The Easter Bowl and Clay Courts champion was
57-1 this year entering the tournament. At the end of the week,
McNally had extended his singles record to 64-1 and earned two more USTA
gold balls.
Kylie McKenzie Completes Run at Girls 16s
During her early-round matches at the USTA Girls 16s National
Championships Kylie McKenzie was not only building momentum, she was
dismantling the field in impressive fashion. The 15-year-old blue chip
recruit from Anthem, Ariz., maintained that same high level of play
the rest of the week and went on to capture the title with a 6-1, 6-4
victory over No. 2 seed Kayla Day of Santa Barbara at the Barnes
William Woodall Wins Boys 14 Singles
William Woodall of Washington, D.C., put on a blue chip performance in
winning the USTA Boys 14 National Singles Championship on August 8 in San Antonio.
Woodall, the tournament's No. 5 seed, took out a scrappy 17th-seeded
Bill Duo of Portage, Mich., 6-1, 6-3 to capture his first USTA gold
Caty McNally Plays Up, Wins USTA Girls' 14s Title
At age 12, Caty McNally became one of the youngest singles and doubles
champions at the USTA Girls 14 National Championships last week in
Peachtree City, Ga. The rising seventh-grader at Madeira Middle
School in Cincinnati didn't lose a set in her seven singles matches
and defeated third-seeded Taylor Johnson of Redondo Beach, Calif.,
6-3, 6-2 in the final.
Khan Twins Dominate Boys 12s in Little Rock
They may not yet be the most famous twins in tennis, but Zane and
Faris Khan certainly are making their presence known in the junior
tennis circuit. So far, the blue chip brothers have altogether won
four gold USTA balls, three silver and four bronze. Zane has the upper
hand for now, pulling a title over Faris 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 at the 2014
Boys 12s National Hard Court Championship.
Volynets Cruises to Girls 12 National Title
When Walnut Creek, California's, Katie Volynets looked across the net
during the USTA Girls 12 National Championships last week, she saw
something she wasn't accustomed to seeing. An opponent her own age.
The 12-year old Volynets has spent a lot of time competing with older
players, and she used that experience to defeat sixth-seeded Sedona
Gallagher 6-0; 6-3, to claim a gold ball and the 12s title.
Hard Court Championship Week
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 and Van Der Meer Academy announce our
Championship Week coverage - with photo galleries and articles that
celebrate the best of the best in junior tennis.
Approaching the Official Visit
Visits to colleges and college tennis programs - whether they are
unofficial or official - are often make-or-break moments in the
college recruiting process. Both junior tennis players and coaches try
to learn all they can about each other in a short period of time. What
should you learn? We put the question to a number of recent graduates:
If you had it to go over again, how would you approach visits to
schools? What would most want to learn?
July Aces
The July aces do not include the Clay Court champions, all of whom
received extensive coverage last month during Tennis Recruiting
Network's Clay Championship Week. But that doesn't mean there's any
shortage of top performances, with a hefty 16 in this month's review.
Changes in NCAA Contact Rules
With recent changes in NCAA recruiting contact rules, the summer has
become an important time for families managing the tennis recruiting
process. Check out changes that every tennis family and all prospective
student athletes need to know...
Midwest Repeats at USTA Boys Team Championship
The calendar might say 2014, but everything looked the same as last
year at the USTA Boys' 18 Team Championship at the University of
Illinois in Urbana. The Atkins Tennis Center was once again lit
brightly by the sun on a perfect 75 degree day, the Midwest team beat
the Southern team, and Northern California repeated as third place
Altamirano, Donaldson and Rubin Head Stellar Field at Kalamazoo
Collin Altamirano returns to Kalamazoo to defend his 2013 18s title,
but the fact that the 18-year-old Californian is not an overwhelming
favorite, and the fifth seed, speaks to the tremendous field gathered
for the tournament's 72nd year.
Conversation with Tech Assistant Coach Derek Schwandt
Georgia Tech Assistant Coach Derek Schwandt has done it all - a
two-time All-Atlantic 10 player in college at Richmond, three years on
the ITF futures and ATP challengers tour, and a top college assistant
coach. Schwandt is also a coach of the USTA Collegiate National Team -
a training program that helps top American college players transition
to professional tennis. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports recently talked
with Schwandt about all things tennis.
What Coaches Look For on Official Visits (Pt. 2)
We recently invited college tennis coaches to comment on official
college visits: what they look for in student athletes - and what most
impresses them. We showed comments from a number of coaches earlier in
the month, but we have thoughts from more coaches. This second
installment contains more insights on the official visit...
Transition from Junior to College Tennis
Over the last ten years, I have seen junior tennis player struggle
with the transition into college tennis. Changes occur in your
training, competition, team structure and academics. It has sometimes
resulted in extreme cases where the student-athlete cannot handle the
pressure and has to leave school indefinitely. Here are a few key
changes you should be ready for - and advice on how to best prepare
yourself for success.
Stewart's Streak Continues in Girls 18s Clays
When Katerina Stewart lost in the quarterfinals of a pro tournament
back in March, she couldn't have known she would go the next four
months without losing a match, and only one set. When Stewart defeated
Kennedy Shaffer 6-1, 6-3 in the final of the Girls 18s Clay Courts,
she not only collected a first singles gold ball on her favorite
surface, but also extended her winning streak to 34 matches in
professional and junior competition.
Paul Repeats Win at Boys 18 Clays in Delray
Some things at the Delray Beach Tennis Center never change - high
temperatures, rain delays, and Tommy Paul winning. "I always play
really well here," said Paul at the end of the USTA Boys' 18 National
Clay Court Championships. Paul wrapped up his second consecutive USTA
Gold Ball at the Clays...
Liu Leads California Contingent in Girls' 16
A few miles from the ocean, Southern Californians dominated the USTA
Girls 16 National Clay Court Championships, taking the top three
places in singles and the runner-up honors in doubles. The ATLANTIC
Ocean, that is. Not the Pacific. During the tournament week, dozens of
spectators gathered at Virginia Beach Tennis and Country Club to see
which Californian would earn the gold ball in singles - and the answer
was Claire Liu.
McNally Continues Hot 2014 at 16s Clays
It has been quite a run for John McNally. The talented teen from
Cincinnati, Ohio swept through his competition at the USTA Boys' 16
Clay Court National Championships in Delray Beach, Florida by not
losing a set all week and captured the third gold ball of his career
with a 6-2; 6-2 victory over San Diego, California's Jacob Brumm.
Unseeded Emma Sweeps Girls 14 Clay Courts
It wasn't an easy task. Victoria Emma had to fight through the
soaring temperatures, hot sun, rain, and much higher ranked opponents,
but she got past all the obstacles and took home her first two Gold
Balls from the USTA Girls' 14 Clay Court Championships.
Keenan Mayo Takes Boys 14 Clay Trophy
It was a hot, wet and muggy week in Fort Lauderdale for the USTA
National Boys 14 Clay Court Championships. It's hard to say that was
really unusual, but what was rare was that there were no players in
doubles and singles finals, not a lot of upsets, and a whole lot of
Californians in the winners' circle - including singles champion
Keenan Mayo.
Gauff Takes First National in Girls' 12s
While the last remaining spectators were wiping sweat from their brows
in the 96 degree heat, Cori Gauff was all smiles when she came off the
court. Winning a gold ball in singles and a silver ball in doubles
will at the Girls' 12 USTA National Clay Court Championships will
usually do that for you.
Zane Wins Battle of the Khans in the 12s
It has become common for twins and siblings to win doubles
championships in the tennis universe. But rarely do twins face each
other in a singles championship match. That was the case on July 19 as
Zane and Faris Khan battled each other for the USTA Boys 12 Clay
Courts gold ball. The winner was fifth seeded-Zane Khan, who defeated
the No. 11 Faris Khan 1-6, 6-0, 6-0 at the Randy Pate Tennis Academy.
Clay Court Championship Week
The USTA Clay Court Championships have concluded around the country.
This week, TennisRecruiting.net has roundups of all the action from
the Boys' 12s to the Girls' 18s - from Virginia Beach to Fort
Lauderdale. Check out coverage of all the tournaments - and meet the
latest gold ball winners of all ages. Get ready... for Clay Court
Championship Week.
Conversation with Former D-III Champion William Boe-Wiegaard
Former Bates standout William Boe-Wiegaard had one of the more amazing
runs in NCAA Division III tennis. He is the only Bobcat ever to be an
All-American all four years in college, and he capped things off with
an amazing run to the NCAA singles title his senior year as an
unseeded player. Since graduating, Boe-Wiegaard has been involved with
tennis as an instructor, and he has been competing professionally
since 2011. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports caught up with Boe-Wiegaard.
What Impact Did the Top 100 Girls from 2013 Have as Freshman?
Last week, Scholarship for Athletes investigated the impact the Top
100 Boys from the 2013 class had on their college teams as freshmen.
This week, they cover the Top 100 Girls from the same recruiting
class. The ladies performed a little bit better...
Prince Hot 100 List - July '14
Today we announce the July edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Rubin Wins Wimbledon Title as US Boys Shine
Competitors from the United States didn't perform well in men's and
women's singles at Wimbledon, with none in the fourth round for the
first time since 1911. But American juniors picked up the slack,
claiming seven of the 16 quarterfinal berths and both finalists in the
boys championship match, won by qualifier Noah Rubin 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
over No. 6 seed Stefan Kozlov.
What Impact Did the Top 100 Boys from 2013 Have as Freshman?
Scholarship for Athletes took the time to research the Top 100 boys
from the Class of 2013 to analyze the impact that they had on their
teams as freshman. How many matches did they play? How did they do? And
how much did their performance impact the team?
What Coaches Look For on Official Visits
Perhaps the most exciting part of the recruiting process is the
Official Visit - where schools brings prospective athletes (and often
their parents) to campus for a weekend visit. Coaches use these
visits as key recruiting tools, and the experiences are often huge
factors in players' decisions. We put the question to college coaches:
What are you looking for in recruits during official visits? What most
impresses you?
Southern California Junior Sectionals Wrapup
Hundreds of the best junior tennis players in Southern California
gathered at Fountain Valley, Calif., and other nearby venues last week
to compete in the 112th annual Southern California Junior Sectionals.
After Sunday's final day of competition, one talented star added to
her impressive resume, while several others also tasted victory at
this prestigious tournament.
One Thing That is Constant in This World: Change
This summer, more than a dozen major Division I men's and women's
tennis head coaching jobs have changed hands. These jobs were filled
by other head coaches, continuing the ripple effect. High school
athletes, should be aware of this so-called "coaching carousel".
Those who understand that the chances of keeping the same coach
throughout a college career are dicey can make better decisions during
the recruiting process.
June Aces
June starts with clay and ends on grass, at least for the top
professionals and world-class juniors. But hard courts hosted their
fair share of the month's top performances too with former college
players and US teens building impressive winning streaks on both hard
courts and the Har-Tru clay.
Recruiting Terms and Calendar for 2014-15
July marks the beginning of another recruiting year. Recruiting
expert Dede Allen is back to review important dates on the calendar
for all ages - and she also has a primer on basic recruiting terms.
Conversation with UConn's Sam Sutherland
Stability has been a watchword of UConn tennis. Glenn Marshall, who
now serves as Director of Tennis, has overseen the tennis programs for
21 years. Michael Louis '04 took over as head coach of the men's
tennis program prior to the 2013-14 season. One of Louis' teammates as
a player at UConn was sam Sutherland '05, a standout from Tampa,
Fla. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports, who served as the commentator for
the live webcast of the 2014 NCAA Tournament, caught up with
The Value of Front Court Skills in College Tennis
I've had several recruits ask for training suggestions as they make
the transition to college. A common theme between the three programs
I've been part of the past few years has been the amount of work put
into developing doubles skills, especially with freshmen. Recruiting
players who can make immediate contributions to the doubles lineup has
become harder to do, so my suggestion to young players in general is
to develop the ability to play the net.
American Collegiate Invitational to Debut at US Open
When sixteen American collegians take the courts late in the second
week of this year's American Collegiate Invitational at the US Open,
they will enjoy the same perks and surroundings as professionals
Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal. The college players will not share
in the millions of dollars of prize money, but they can collect
something the pros cannot - a guarantee of entry for the following year.
Tennis Recruiting Welcomes Tennis Express
If you've been on the TennisRecruiting.net website the last few days, you may
have noticed that we have a brand new online store. Tennis Express, a
leading full-service tennis retailer, is our new platinum sponsor, and we
are very excited about it. Tennis Express provides a fantastic online
experience - great tennis products at competitive prices with
fantastic customer service. Check it out...
SFA Interviews Danielle Lao
Jake Hartman of SFA sat down with Danielle Lao a former USC women's
tennis player. Danielle is currently on the professional tennis tour,
and she recently wrote a book about her college tennis experience
titled The Invaluable Experience. She was interviewed about her
recruiting process, how she chose USC, and how her time there has
benefited her today.
2014 Top NCAA Division III Women's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network wraps up its spring recruiting class
rankings with a look at the D-III women. Today we present our list
of the Top 25 NCAA D-III women's recruiting classes for 2014. Once
again, the Eagles soar at the top of the rankings.
The Role of College Tennis in Isner, Johnson and Burdette's Pro Success
College tennis is a team game, a prime reason for its popularity,
particularly among US-born juniors. After years of focusing on
individual results in junior tournaments, collegians have an
opportunity to perform for the benefit of their teammates, most of
whom become lifelong friends. Yet many of the top college players
also have their sights set on professional careers, using their years
in college to mature and develop while competing and studying.
Prince Hot 100 List - June '14
Today we announce the June edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
2014 Top NCAA Division III Men's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network presents its recruiting class rankings
for NCAA Division III conferences. Today we present our Top 25 D-III
men's recruiting classes for 2014. The top class this year comes in
a distinct shade of Maroon - and from the Windy City.
2014 Top Mid-Major Women's Classes
TennisRecruiting.net picks up where it left off on Monday with more
rankings of mid-major recruiting classes. Today we present the Top 25
mid-major women's recruiting classes for 2014. Check out the Owls - who
are soaring at the top of the rankings.
Meet ITA Rookie of the Year Brayden Schnur
Eighteen-year-old Canadian Brayden Schnur didn't begin his freshman
year at the University of North Carolina until January, but he had an
enormous impact on the Tar Heels in his first five months in Chapel
Create a Winning Summer Tennis Schedule
As a competitive junior tennis player, summer holidays provide you the
best chance to improve your tennis game and get maximum exposure for a
college scholarship. College coaches are out recruiting at various
tournaments and training camps around the U.S. and internationally.
Taking advantage of these few months can really make an impact in your
future college tennis career. It starts with creating a well
thought-out summer tennis schedule.
2014 Top Mid-Major Men's Classes
The Tennis Recruiting Network continues its series of recruiting
class rankings with the first of our mid-major conference rankings.
Today we present the Top 25 mid-major men's recruiting classes for
2014... and please steer clear of the Cougars.
Q&A with USC senior Ray Sarmiento
Last month, USC won its 21st NCAA title in men's tennis - and the
school's 100th NCAA title overall. The Tennis Trojans were led by
senior Ray Sarmiento, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding
Player. Harry Cicma of NBC Sports, who served as the commentator for
the live webcast, talked with Sarmiento after the event.
May Aces
May produced a whopping 18 aces, with current and former college
players highlighting last month's performances. Europe's red clay also
hosted some notable achievements, as did the hard courts of Korea,
Mexico and Tunisia.
Talking About the New Balance HS Tennis Championships
We chat with Bruce Schilling, General Manager of Tennis for New
Balance, about the first-ever New Balance High School Tennis
Championship to be held at Harvard University in July.
Top Women's Classes - 2014 Spring Rankings
Our Recruiting Class Rankings continue with a look at the ladies.
Tennis Recruiting is proud to present its spring rankings of the Top
25 Women's College Tennis Recruiting Classes of 2014. Once again, the
Florida Gators are making themselves at home in the top spot.
Virginia's Danielle Collins, UCLA's Marcos Giron Claim NCAA Singles Titles
It was NCAA singles title No. 1 for Virginia and No. 11 for UCLA, as
Cavalier Danielle Collins and Bruin Marcos Giron stood alone at the
end of six hot and humid days of NCAA Division I singles competition
at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex on the campus of the University of
Quick Take with John McEnroe
If you look at the top American men on the professional stage, you'll
notice a common thread - most of them played college tennis. One of their
forerunners was John McEnroe, who attended Stanford for a year and won
the NCAA singles title before moving on to the professional ranks.
Harry Cicma of NBC Sports asked McEnroe a few questions with a college
focus recently in New York.
Amherst Wins D-III Men's Tennis Championhip, Emory Takes Women's Title
The Biszantz Family Tennis Center in Claremont, Calif., was the site
of the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Tennis Championships May
19-24. The fourth-ranked Amherst Lord Jeffs men's team won its second
NCAA team title with a 5-3 victory over the top-ranked and host
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags. On the women's side, top-ranked Emory
won its sixth NCAA title with a 5-1 decision over No. 2 Amherst.
Top Men's Classes - 2014 Spring Rankings
The Tennis Recruiting Network is excited to present its
spring ranking of the Top 25 Men's Recruiting Classes for 2014. New
commitments have brought three new teams to the rankings, shaking up
the Top 25. The program with the No. 25 recruiting class back in
January has risen all the way up to No. 2. But the top spot still has
a certain... Cardinality.
USC Men, UCLA Women Reign in Division I Team Championships
The 2014 NCAA Division I Team Championships in Athens, Georgia
featured plenty of rain and two new faces in the final, but when
Tuesday came to close, the Pac-12 had secured both titles. Top seed
University of Southern California defeated No. 2 seed Oklahoma 4-2 to
claim its fifth men's title in the past six years, while No. 5 seed
UCLA won its second women's championship with a scintillating 4-3
victory over No. 7 seed North Carolina.
What is the NCAA Eligibility Center?
The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the academic and amateur
credentials of all college-bound student-athletes who wish to compete
in NCAA Division I or II athletics. Ultimately, the individual
student-athlete is responsible for achieving and protecting his or her
eligibility status, but the NCAA Eligibility Center is eager to
cooperate with all parties to ensure a smooth transition to
NCAA sports.
Prince Hot 100 List - May '14
Today we announce the May edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
New Changes to the SAT Test
In March, College Board announced several changes to the SAT that will
impact the class of 2017 and beyond. Check out the changes - and see how
they impact student-athletes.
NCAA Tournament Roundtable - Part II
The NCAA Division I Tennis Championships start today. The top men's
and women's college tennis programs face off in first-round action
across the country, with all teams competing for tickets to
Athens, Ga., and a spot in the Sweet 16. Check out insights
from our college tennis contributors - and see who they picked as
darkhorses and champions.
A Conversation with Steve Johnson
For college tennis fans, Steve Johnson needs no introduction. At USC,
Johnson won an unprecedented four NCAA team titles and two NCAA
singles titles, ending his collegiate career on a 72-match winning
streak. With just one full year behind him on the ATP tour, he now
stands as the third-ranked American at No. 69. Colette Lewis caught
up with Johnson to talk about all things tennis...
Call for Simultaneous Format in College Dual Matches
A huge issue for college tennis today is figuring out how to reduce
the time it takes to complete a match while at the same time ensuring
that doubles continues to be an integral part of a match. To date, we
have experimented with changing scoring and rules, but competitive
matches are still too long. We can do better. The problem can be
easily resolved by having both doubles and singles matches played at
the same time - the simultaneous format.
NCAA Tournament Roundtable - Part I
This weekend, the NCAA Division I Tennis Championships get underway.
64 men's and women's college tennis teams will head to campus venues
around the country to compete in first- and second-round action. The
winners will make up the Sweet 16 and head to Athens, Ga., to compete
for the team title. Today, our college tennis contributors preview
the "Big Dance" of college tennis.
April Aces
Ranging from age 14 to 25, the April aces have accomplishments on all
levels of the game - from a WTA title in Malaysia to ITF Grade 4 junior
events in the Caribbean and virtually every level in between.
Preparing for Success in College Tennis
Over the next few weeks, college tennis recruits who did not commit
early will be making their college decisions. Many will be signing a
National Letter of Intent or sending in a deposit - committing to a
college or university. Recruits for 2014 have nearly all made their
decisions... now what?
Ohio State Downs Illinois 4-2 to Claim Big Ten Tournament Championship
With nine consecutive Big Ten regular season conference championships
and eight of the last nine conference tournament championships, the
Ohio State Buckeyes could be forgiven for taking such accomplishments
lightly. There was no complacency in Sunday's tournament final against
the University of Illinois however, with the Buckeyes exacting some
revenge in their 4-2 victory at the Michigan State Outdoor Tennis
Talking with USTA's Tom Gullikson
If you've been to a major junior tournament in the United States this
year, you've probably seen USTA Lead National Coach Tom Gullikson
there - watching matches and talking with players, parents and coaches,
both formally and one-on-one. Colette Lewis spoke with Gullikson
during the USTA Spring Team Championships, where he gave his insights
on a number of tennis issues.
Scattershooting Around the Men's College Game
During a dual season in which many schools have negotiated difficult
schedules, overcome adversity and tweaked lineups, the men's Division
I season has now reached the conference tournaments. Rivalries will be
renewed this weekend and a few more questions might be answered, but
what we have seen the past three months from all regions of the
country tells us there are perhaps ten teams capable of capturing the
NCAA championship.
Prince Hot 100 List - April '14
Today we announce the April edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Tiafoe, Bellis Capture Easter Bowl ITF Titles
Francis Tiafoe and CiCi Bellis have similar international junior
accomplishments, and they both had great experiences at the Easter
Bowl earlier this month. Both the 16-year-old Tiafoe and 15-year-old
Bellis left the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the tournament's new
site, with Easter Bowl ITF singles titles.
Spring Signing Week '14: Why NAIA?
Peter Green talks with college tennis coaches at NAIA institutions
about the tennis experience at NAIA schools - and what differentiates
an NAIA program from NCAA programs.
Spring Signing Week '14: Primer on NCAA Eligibility
The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the academic and amateur
credentials of all students who want to play sports at an NCAA
Division I or II institution as freshmen. In order to practice, play
and receive an athletics scholarship, students need to meet certain
academic benchmarks and amateurism requirements. Learn about the NCAA
Eligibility Center and its resources...
Spring Signing Week '14: How is College Tennis Different?
Junior tennis and college tennis are two very different experiences.
Junior tennis players know that they will be competing in a team
environment, but they can't really know what else to expect. We put
the question to recent graduates: What was an aspect of college tennis
that most surprised you coming out of juniors? What did you find most
Spring Signing Week '14: National Recruiting Roundup
Signing Day Eve kicks off with our national roundup. Take a look
at comments from boys and girls who have made verbal commitments
to colleges all across the country.
Spring Signing Week '14: Scholarships - Details Matter
If you've been playing junior tournaments for years, the chances are
that the subject of college scholarships has come up often in your
house. It's only natural that you would like all your hard work to be
rewarded. For parents, a scholarship is often seen as the light at the
end of the tunnel - the financial gift for spending years paying for
lessons, entry fees and travel. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.
Spring Signing Week '14: Signing Week Arrives
The Tennis Recruiting Network kicks off its coverage of Spring
Signing Week '14 with a look at the Top 100. We preview our
weekly coverage, and we update you on the status of all the
top 100 boys and girls who were uncommitted when we checked in
with them in March. A few of these kids plan to announce their
decisions this week.
Nakagawa, Bellis Claim ITF Grade 1 International Spring Championship Titles
Naoki Nakagawa of Japan and CiCi Bellis of the United States took
alternate routes to the final, yet both finished with titles last week
at the ITF Grade 1 International Spring Championships at the StubHub
Center in Carson, California.
Countdown: What Do Players Overlook?
Every year, high school tennis players make their college decisions
based on a number of factors - from coaching staff and players on the
team to size of school and weather. But are these athletes making
rational decisions? We put the question to college coaches: What
important factors in the college recruiting process do student
athletes often overlook?
Countdown: Your College Choice is a Forty-Year Decision
During these final months before graduation, many of you are anxiously
awaiting admissions decisions and pouring through notes from each
visit, looking to make a final college choice. Thinking beyond
college graduation may seem ludicrous right now, but you should always
be mindful about how current decisions shape your future. It is
important to decide what you want to do with your time in college and
how it pertains to your career.
March Aces
From Kazakhstan to Columbus, last month's achievements knew no
boundaries, with teenagers capturing titles, and current and former
college players moving up in the ATP rankings. A new NCAA record also
made March a month to remember.
Countdown: About College Recruit Videos
Julie and Danny Thiets founded High-Tech Tennis in 2006 recording junior
tennis match play, and they quickly got involved with making college
recruiting videos. In this article, they share some of the lessons
they have learned over the years about making effective videos.
TennisRecruiting.net Branches Out, Adds Wiffle Ball
Since its launch in 2005, the Tennis Recruiting Network has been a
valued source of information for the junior tennis community. Today,
April 1, 2014, Tennis Recruiting is excited to unveil its plans for
the future. Having established its position in the tennis market, the
company plans to begin coverage of an additional sport. And after much
deliberation, that sport is Wiffle Ball.
Countdown: Previewing the Top 100 Boys
Last Monday, 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...
Countdown: Transitioning to College Tennis
Over the winter break, Donovan Tennis Strategies was able to catch up
with three freshmen college tennis players - from the Patriot League,
Ivy League, and SCIAC. We asked them about the transition to college
both academically and athletically, how their expectations of college
tennis are being met, and what advice they would already be able to
provide to future recruits.
Countdown: Previewing the Top 100 Girls
The Countdown to Signing Day continues with a look at the Top 100
girls in the senior class. The vast majority of these athletes
have already made written or verbal commitments, but college
coaches are still after these highly-regarded young women. Find
out which girls are still open, which have narrowed their lists, and
which have made commitments...
First USTA Team Champions Crowned in Mobile
128 boys and 128 girls arrived for competition last week in Mobile,
Alabama, and each left with seven new friends - their teammates - when
the USTA's first Spring Team Championships were complete. Two 12s, two
14s, two 16s and two 18s division players were placed on each of the
32 teams. The teams had fun but competed fiercely - since a USTA gold
ball served as the ultimate prize.
Prince Hot 100 List - March '14
Today we announce the March edition of the Prince Hot 100. The
Prince Hot 100 features 100 boys and 100 girls who have been playing outstanding
tennis. These players have substantially improved their rankings over
the past month.
Full Listings: Boys' Commits & Girls' Commits


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And They're Off: September 9, 2009 (Video)
Hosted by Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin, "And They're Off" is a bi-monthly online video series sponsored by Darby Dan Farm.
Lenny and Steve talk about Rachel Alexandra, Tim Ice, Chip Woolley, Linda Rice, and more. Plus, feedback from viewers!
Comments or questions for Lenny and Steve? Send them to: email@example.com.
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