May 24, 2011
Tennis Recruiting Network Top Recruiting Classes - Spring 2011
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham University head coach Cory Hubbard wasted little time in solidifying one of the goals he set last September when he was hired to lead the men's tennis program. That goal was to recruit a team that could compete for an Atlantic 10 championship and he is well on his way after his first recruiting class was recently ranked as the 27th best class in the nation by the Tennis Recruiting Network.
"I am very excited to have my first recruiting class recognized and ranked 27th in the country," said Hubbard. "This year, I spent tireless hours emailing, calling and recruiting so I am happy all the work paid off. It's a great achievement and will instantly give our program the credibility on a national level and help attract more top rated recruits in the future. I came here because I knew there was so much potential to turn the program around and compete on a national level because of everything Fordham has to offer a student-athlete. As I told each recruit, we have the potential to do something special over the next four years, and not look at where the team is but believe in where we can go. I believe this is just the start of bigger things to come, and now the hard work is just beginning. I am still a long way from where I want this program to be, but with the help of the administration, student body and alumni we can get there. Next year will be very exciting as we look forward to competing for a conference championship."
After signing three players in the fall, Hubbard continued to recruit intensely, adding four more highly ranked recruits this spring. The four spring signees are Srikar Alla (Bradenton, Fla./Pendelton School), Jan Krouham (Bradenton, Fla./Pendelton School), Jonahiby Tauil (Valley Stream, N.Y./Hewlett) and Michael Puntillo (Sands Points, N.Y./Loyola).
Alla, a native of India, currently competes at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Founded in 1978, the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy was the first full-time tennis boarding school to combine intense training on the court with a custom-designed academic curriculum.
Alla has competed in ITF Junior events all over the world, and holds a ITF Junior World ranking of 343. He has defeated several top 100 US Junior players and blue chip recruits.
"Srikar has a huge serve and his international tournament experience will be a plus," said Hubbard.
Krouham, a native of Mexico, is rated as a 3-Star Recruit by the Tennis Recruiting Network and a top 400 player nationally who also is currently training at the IMG Bollitieri Tennis Academy.
Tauil, a Long Island native, is also a 3-Star Tennis Recruiting Network recruit, who has impressive wins over 5-Star players. He is one of the top 20 players in the East region and top 275 in the country.
Last year, Tauil competed in the Copa Merengue, the USTA National Open and the USTA National Open, advancing to the round of 16 in each, as well as the National Clay Court Championships.
"JJ has a huge game with tremendous potential," said Hubbard. "He has beaten some of the top players in East and will help spread the word that our program is on the rise."
Puntillo, another Long Island native who is ranked 41st in the state of New York, is a 2-Star recruit who attends Loyola High School where he is a member of the golf team. Last June, Puntillo advanced to the semifinals of the Boys' 18 L1 Eastern Open Championships
"Puntillo is a diamond in the rough, said Hubbard. "He is a physical specimen and serves about 130 miles per hour."
The new signees join three who committed in the fall, which includes two incoming freshmen, Peder Gram (Portland, Oregon/Jesuit) and Shuo Wang (Beijing, China/Pendleton School), and one transfer from San Diego State, Kuba Kowalski (Krakow, Poland/Piarist Gimnazyum).
Kowalski is a standout transfer from San Diego State, who saw action for the nationally-ranked Aztecs last season. Prior to his time in San Diego, he was ranked as high as #2 as a junior player in Poland, winning several Polish national championships. Last year, he saw most of his action as a singles player, while only playing doubles once. As a transfer, he will be redshirting due to NCAA regulations, and will have three years remaining, beginning in the fall.
"Having Kuba transfer to Fordham is going to have an immediate impact," said Hubbard. "He will be one of the top players in the Atlantic 10 for several years. His international tournament experience, along with playing for a nationally ranked program like San Diego State, will also play a big role in helping improve the other players and leading by example. I believe Kuba has a legitimate chance to be the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and an Academic All-American."
Gram, a native of Portland, Oregon, has won several Pacific Northwest Sectional Doubles Championships, as well as the Oregon State Doubles Championships. He also helped Jesuit High School to multiple 6A State Championships. According to TennisRecruiting.net, Peder is listed as a 3-Star recruit and is ranked as the 3rd-highest prospect in Oregon and the 10th-highest in the Northwest Region.
Wang, a native of Beijing, China, is the second incoming international player in this year's recruiting class. He is currently living and training at the IMG Bollitieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
