Sherwood Cup (Almost) Roundup

It has been a really great showing for the Bruins in the 13th annual Sherwood Collegiate Cup hosted by the beautiful Sherwood Country Club in Westlake, CA.

Some notable people missing from the draw: Raymond Sarmiento (plantar fasciitis), Yannick Hanfmann (knees), and our  senior co-captain Adrien Puget (knee rehab)

A really great showing from two of our freshmen, Mackie McDonald and Gage Brymer.

Some notable wins:

Gage Brymer (UCLA) def. Max de Vroome (USC) 3-6, 7-6, 6-2

Also Mackie’s win over the tournament’s second seed Julien Lenz.

Mackenzie McDonald (UCLA) def. Julien Lenz (Baylor) 6-4, 6-4

Another Freshman, Joe DiGiulio fell JUST SHORT in a tightly contested three set match with Quiroz. It was a great match that Joe can take a lot from.

Roberto Quiroz (USC) def. Joseph Di Giulio (UCLA) 4-6, 7-6, 7-5

An interesting match that many people were anticipating was Clay’s match against Connor Farren. It was a tough match for both players as they struggled in each other’s service games. Clay was able to pull out strong in the third.

Clay Thompson (UCLA) def. Connor Farren (USC) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

The semifinals was an all bruin occasion that ended earlier today with Marcos and Clay both coming through in straight sets over the two freshmen.

Clay Thompson (UCLA) def. Gage Brymer (UCLA) 6-4, 6-3

Marcos Giron (UCLA) def. Mackenzie McDonald (UCLA) 6-4, 6-4

Should be a battle tomorrow morning against the number one ranked player in the nation against the eleventh.

Marcos received a main draw wildcard into the Maui Challenger that begins Tuesday and will be playing a Lucky Loser/Qualifier. Some former bruins also in that challenger are Nick Meister and Daniel Kosakowski.

And finally, the season begins this Wednesday against UC Irvine at 2 PM!!

End of Fall Quarter

What a great fall quarter for the Bruins! It was headlined by Senior Clay Thompson taking the USTA/ITA National Indoors title
at Flushing Meadows, New York by way of winning the consolation title at All-Americans in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Clay lost just one match all fall.

Also a big Fall for Junior Marcos Giron who helped Team USA win the Master’U Championships in France along with Mitchell Frank (UVA), Peter Kobelt (OSU), Robin Anderson (UCLA), Sabrina Santamara (USC), and Lauren Herring (UGA). They defeated Russia in the finals 7-0. Team USA dropped only 2 matches all tournament in route to their victory. Giron also took the consolation title in singles at the USTA/ITA National Indoors tournament along with a finalist trophy in dobules consolation with Freshman Mackie McDonald.

On campus earlier this fall the bruins took both titles at the Southern California Intercollegiate Tournament hosted by USTA and UCLA. Freshman Mackie Mcdonald and RS Sophomore Karue Sell defeated fellow bruins, Freshman Joe DiGiulio and Junior Ryoto Tachi in the finals 8-4. Clay took the singles final by defeating Mackie in the finals.

Sophomore Seth Stolar destroyed consolation draws this Fall! He took both the Regional Indoors Qualifying Consolation trophy and the Souther California Intercollegiate trophy this quarter.

Karue also took the consolation title at the Battle of the Bay Classic in San Francisco

Some Notable Bruins in the Pros:
Nick Meister won a 10K Futures in Merida, Mexico
Daniel Kosakowski took the La Habra Open earlier this month, his first tournament after battling a shoulder injury.

Recruiting:

Wanted to welcome our first NLI for next year, Austin Rapp. Austin is a five-star recruit out of Palm Desert High School in California.

Other News:

I wanted to give a shout out to the UCLA Women’s Soccer team who managed to win UCLA’s record setting 110th national championship, it is also the first championship in the program’s history! GO BRUINS!!

Currently most of the guys and some of the gals are training on campus with the USTA. Down in Westwood this week are Clay, Marcos, Mackie, and Gage for the Bruins. Joining them are Jared Hiltzik (ILL), Winston Lin(COL), Austin Smith (UGA), and Nathan Pasha (UGA). The women are Robin, Kyle, and Chanelle along with Lauren Herring (UGA), and Sabrina Santamaria (USC)

Also excited to see LA PUGE next quarter! Adrien has been rehabbing his knee that he had surgery on at the beginning of the quarter. Needless to say the pictures have been very promising!! Looking forward to seeing the big guy back here in Westwood!

Promise the updates will get better winter quarter!

GO BRUINS!

All photos courtesy of UCLA Athletics/UCLA Men’s Tennis

And I’m Back!

Sorry for the large gap in between posts! I’m finally back from the usual recovery routine after finals week.

The boys are all in the holiday mode and back home.

So here are some Team News Updates:

-Unfortunately, Senior Warren Hardie has decided to step down from the team to pursue and focus on his career aspirations. I am really going to miss the spirit and energy that he contributed to our team’s dynamic. I wish him all the best!

-All the boys are off the DL list and have been practicing: Clay, Adrien, and Novikov

I know it is long past signing day, but I just wanted to introduce the new recruiting class for the 2014 season.

-Mackie McDonald (Piedmont, CA): A top US junior who arguably had his best performance at the 2012 Junior Australian Open, where he reached a spot in the semifinals. Mackie plays a great all around game, and has the most international experience among the three recruits. That experience will surely help him as he transitions into college tennis. His backhand and volleys, I believe, are some of the most technically sound and best parts of his game. Coming from a line of bruin faithful, I know that Mackie is going to carry the bruin spirit when he comes to UCLA next year.

Photo courtesy of Wilson Tennis 

-Gage Brymer (Irvine, CA): Another top US junior who has really dominated the California high school tennis scene while competing for University High School. His resume includes two CIF singles titles and three consecutive CIF D1 team titles, with hopes for a final one this year. The team dynamic he experienced in high school will no doubt be an advantage for him as he moves into college tennis. With his impeccable footwork, huge forehand, and big baseline game he will no doubt be a great addition to the bruin tennis family.

Photo courtesy of OC Register. 

-Joseph (Joe) DiGiulio (Newport Beach, CA): Joe’s resume includes being ranked as high as number 1 in the nation in both the 14s and 16s divisions. His most recent tournament win was a doubles championship with USC commit Robbie Bellamy at the SoCal Sectionals. Joe has consistently stayed at the top of the USTA Junior program his entire life. Although I have not had the opportunity to see Joe play, from what I have heard he plays strong and solid off both wings. His consistency and sheer will to win at any stage I believe will translate effectively as he begins his college tennis career.

Photo courtesy of Colette Lewis

Although the 2013 season has yet to kickoff I am really excited to see the 2014 team with the addition of these there blue chip recruits. These three boys will be nothing short of a great addition to the bruin tennis family and I am no doubt excited to work with them next year.