LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The University of Kentucky men?s tennis team earned more national respect with the latest Winter Recruiting Class Rankings for the Class of 2007 released by TennisRecruiting.net this week.
The Wildcats stand fourth in the country with the three latest recruiting class commitments to Kentucky head coach Dennis Emery. UK is the top Southeastern Conference team in the rankings and the only squad from the league in the top-10.
Traditional tennis power Stanford heads the list followed by Atlantic Coast Conference rivals Duke and North Carolina. The Tar Heels welcome seven new names in the new class while the others in the top four, including the Cats, only list three recruits each.
?This is our second highly-ranked recruiting class in as many years,? Emery said. ?We feel with these recruits and the young guys we already have in place that we should be able to go deep into the NCAAs and compete for a national title in a couple years.?
UK alum Rincon brings his No. 36 Miami Hurricane team to test No. 48 Kentucky
Former Kentucky tennis player Marc Rincon returns to Lexington Sunday as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes. Rincon played under Emery in the 1988-89 seasons and is in his fourth year at the helm of the Hurricane squad. The former Cat won the ACC Coach of the Year Award in 2006 for his quick turn-around of the program.
The ?Canes are fresh off of an upset 4-3 win over No. 13 Florida on Tuesday to go 3-0 on the year. Miami was led by No.7 Daniel Vallverdu?s defeat of No.8 Greg Ouellette of Florida in straight sets during No. 1 singles play but clinched at No. 6 singles after the match was knotted at three points apiece.
The match starts at noon at the Boone Tennis Complex with free admission for a match-up that is sure to be super on Sunday.
UK Tennis star Rich Benson Inducted into USTA Kentucky Hall of Fame
Last weekend USTA Kentucky recognized former Wildcat All-American Rich Benson (1986-89) at an induction ceremony in honor of his accomplishments and contributions to Kentucky tennis. While at UK, Benson paired with Greg Van Emburgh to become the Wildcats? first All-America doubles tandem in 1987. He also was an All-America selection in doubles during 1988 and 1989 seasons partnering later with Adam Malik. After graduation, the former Wildcat went on to tour professionally and later coached aspiring tennis professionals like current ATP player Jan-Michael Gambill. Over the past decade, Benson has served as general manager of Tenni-Trac Sports Surfaces in Louisville, helping to earn the business a designation of ?Certified Tennis Court Builder? from the United States Tennis Court and Track Builders Association. Congratulations to Rich and his family.
