
Men’s Tennis Signs Five
Nov 10, 2017 | Men's Tennis
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M men's tennis head coach Steve Denton announced the five member signing class of 2018 Friday morning. The group consists of elite junior prospects Austin Abbrat, Alejandro Vedri Asensi, Guido Marson, Jack Pulliam and Noah Schachter.
"Coach O'Shea and I have put a tremendous amount of time into this recruiting class," Denton said. "It was a tough task to replace one of the most decorated Senior classes in Aggie history, consisting of A.J. Catanzariti, Arthur Rinderknech and Jordi Arconada. We are confident that this class will carry on the great tradition of our men's tennis program."
Abbrat is currently ranked as the number two junior player in Texas behind future teammate and current Texas A&M freshman Pranav Kumar. Abbrat is a native of Spring, Texas and currently trains at the Giammalva Elite Academy and is trained by Sammy Giamalva Jr. Currently ranked as the No. 58 player nationally by tennisrecruiting.net, Abbrat is rated as a 5-star recruit.
"Austin is a tremendous athlete with a huge serve," Assistant Coach Kevin O'Shea said. "Austin had a great summer and showed what he is capable of by winning an ITA Summer Circuit. He has a passion for the game that is contagious. We are excited to carry on the tradition of having Texans on our team."
"Texas A&M represents a season of massive opportunity in my life both academically and athletically," Abbrat said. "I want to play professional tennis and this decision represents the next step towards that goal. My education is also very important and the support that Aggies show to each other is like nothing else. It's really a blessing to be a part of something like this school."
Vedri of Valencia, Spain achieved a career-high ITF ranking of 123 and is one of the top junior players in Spain. The right-hander earned a 13.51 UTR after claiming wins at several tournaments in the last six months including a doubles championship at the Budaors Cup. Asensi is coached by Antonio Gil Betoret.
"Alejandro is a big athletic fierce competitor on the tennis court that possesses a very big forehand and serve," Denton said. "He comes from a long line of successful Spaniards that have been able to translate their clay court skills to the hard courts of American college tennis. We are very excited to welcome Alejandro to our family as I am confident he will make an immediate impact on our team next season."
"My final decision came down to choosing the best coaching staff for me," Vedri said. "Both Steve and Kevin have shown this program is unrivaled and can best prepare me for the next level. The tennis team and business school combination is undoubtedly the final element that made me select Texas A&M. I'm excited to wear the Maroon & White."
Marson from Napoli is one of the top 5 nationally ranked junior tennis players in Italy. His career high ITF ranking is 144 and claims a UTR rating of 13.99. He has several wins over top international junior players in recent months. Guido is coached by internationally renowned tennis coach, Riccardo Piatti who has coached Novak Djokovic, Richard Gasquet, Ivan Ljubicic and recently Milos Raonic.
"Guido is an aggressive baseliner who has obviously been well coached and knows how to win at the international level," Denton said. "He will be a tremendous asset to our team and will be a major contributor to the success of our team. He is a nasty competitor on the court."
"I chose Texas A&M because of the great coaching staff," Marson said. "I also felt a great connection to the team and was very impressed with the business school."
Pulliam, a four-star recruit and No. 83 prospect in the class of 2018 according tennisrecruiting.net, is from Manhattan Beach, California. The right-hander is currently ranked No. 1 in the USTA Southern California Section in doubles. Pulliam currently trains under the direction of Fritz Wolmarans.
"Jack has a tremendous work ethic and really has no holes," O'Shea said. "He is great doubles player that plays with a ton of energy. He is going to love to play for the crowd and the 12th man is going to admire his passion."
"I chose to come to Texas A&M because of the great culture and people in College Station," Pulliam said. "I feel like it is the best possible environment for me to develop as both a person and a tennis player."
Schachter, from Wesley Chapel, Florida, trains at Saddlebrook Prep Tennis Academy under the direction of Matt Gordon. The five star recruit is rated as the No. 23 player in the 2018 class by tennisrecruiting.net. Schachter earned a career-best ITF ranking of No. 185 in February of 2017 after earning ITF points from wins at the Pan American ITA Championship, Prince George's County International Hard Court Junior Tennis Championships, USTA International Spring Championships and the Costa Rica Bowl.
"Noah is a big guy with a great one-two punch with his serve and forehand" O'Shea said. "He is going to benefit so much from on-court coaching and I can't wait to be on his court. We are excited to steal such a great player from the state of Florida."
"I chose Texas A&M because I loved the coaches and I really think the team is very motivated," Schachter said. "The team all have dreams to become pro tennis players someday which is what I really hope I can become one day and with the great facilities I knew Texas A&M would be the perfect fit."
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M men's tennis. Aggie fans also can keep up to date with the A&M men's tennis team on Twitter by following @AggieMTEN or on Facebook at Facebook.com/AggieMensTennis.
2018 Texas A&M Men's Tennis Signees
Austin Abbrat
Alejandro Vedri Asensi
Guido Marson
Jack Pulliam
Noah Schachter
"Coach O'Shea and I have put a tremendous amount of time into this recruiting class," Denton said. "It was a tough task to replace one of the most decorated Senior classes in Aggie history, consisting of A.J. Catanzariti, Arthur Rinderknech and Jordi Arconada. We are confident that this class will carry on the great tradition of our men's tennis program."
Abbrat is currently ranked as the number two junior player in Texas behind future teammate and current Texas A&M freshman Pranav Kumar. Abbrat is a native of Spring, Texas and currently trains at the Giammalva Elite Academy and is trained by Sammy Giamalva Jr. Currently ranked as the No. 58 player nationally by tennisrecruiting.net, Abbrat is rated as a 5-star recruit.
"Austin is a tremendous athlete with a huge serve," Assistant Coach Kevin O'Shea said. "Austin had a great summer and showed what he is capable of by winning an ITA Summer Circuit. He has a passion for the game that is contagious. We are excited to carry on the tradition of having Texans on our team."
"Texas A&M represents a season of massive opportunity in my life both academically and athletically," Abbrat said. "I want to play professional tennis and this decision represents the next step towards that goal. My education is also very important and the support that Aggies show to each other is like nothing else. It's really a blessing to be a part of something like this school."
Welcome to Aggieland, Austin Abbrat! #12thMan pic.twitter.com/dwWQHIVWR1
— Aggie Men's Tennis (@AggieMTEN) November 8, 2017
Vedri of Valencia, Spain achieved a career-high ITF ranking of 123 and is one of the top junior players in Spain. The right-hander earned a 13.51 UTR after claiming wins at several tournaments in the last six months including a doubles championship at the Budaors Cup. Asensi is coached by Antonio Gil Betoret.
"Alejandro is a big athletic fierce competitor on the tennis court that possesses a very big forehand and serve," Denton said. "He comes from a long line of successful Spaniards that have been able to translate their clay court skills to the hard courts of American college tennis. We are very excited to welcome Alejandro to our family as I am confident he will make an immediate impact on our team next season."
"My final decision came down to choosing the best coaching staff for me," Vedri said. "Both Steve and Kevin have shown this program is unrivaled and can best prepare me for the next level. The tennis team and business school combination is undoubtedly the final element that made me select Texas A&M. I'm excited to wear the Maroon & White."
Welcome to Aggieland, Alejandro Asensi! #12thMan pic.twitter.com/0IU2xGlOUK
— Aggie Men's Tennis (@AggieMTEN) November 9, 2017
Marson from Napoli is one of the top 5 nationally ranked junior tennis players in Italy. His career high ITF ranking is 144 and claims a UTR rating of 13.99. He has several wins over top international junior players in recent months. Guido is coached by internationally renowned tennis coach, Riccardo Piatti who has coached Novak Djokovic, Richard Gasquet, Ivan Ljubicic and recently Milos Raonic.
"Guido is an aggressive baseliner who has obviously been well coached and knows how to win at the international level," Denton said. "He will be a tremendous asset to our team and will be a major contributor to the success of our team. He is a nasty competitor on the court."
"I chose Texas A&M because of the great coaching staff," Marson said. "I also felt a great connection to the team and was very impressed with the business school."
Welcome to Aggieland, Guido Marson! #12thMan pic.twitter.com/EoiqVLysT4
— Aggie Men's Tennis (@AggieMTEN) November 10, 2017
Pulliam, a four-star recruit and No. 83 prospect in the class of 2018 according tennisrecruiting.net, is from Manhattan Beach, California. The right-hander is currently ranked No. 1 in the USTA Southern California Section in doubles. Pulliam currently trains under the direction of Fritz Wolmarans.
"Jack has a tremendous work ethic and really has no holes," O'Shea said. "He is great doubles player that plays with a ton of energy. He is going to love to play for the crowd and the 12th man is going to admire his passion."
"I chose to come to Texas A&M because of the great culture and people in College Station," Pulliam said. "I feel like it is the best possible environment for me to develop as both a person and a tennis player."
Welcome to Aggieland, Jack Pulliam! #12thMan pic.twitter.com/71UlKhgvTf
— Aggie Men's Tennis (@AggieMTEN) November 9, 2017
Schachter, from Wesley Chapel, Florida, trains at Saddlebrook Prep Tennis Academy under the direction of Matt Gordon. The five star recruit is rated as the No. 23 player in the 2018 class by tennisrecruiting.net. Schachter earned a career-best ITF ranking of No. 185 in February of 2017 after earning ITF points from wins at the Pan American ITA Championship, Prince George's County International Hard Court Junior Tennis Championships, USTA International Spring Championships and the Costa Rica Bowl.
"Noah is a big guy with a great one-two punch with his serve and forehand" O'Shea said. "He is going to benefit so much from on-court coaching and I can't wait to be on his court. We are excited to steal such a great player from the state of Florida."
"I chose Texas A&M because I loved the coaches and I really think the team is very motivated," Schachter said. "The team all have dreams to become pro tennis players someday which is what I really hope I can become one day and with the great facilities I knew Texas A&M would be the perfect fit."
Welcome to Aggieland, Noah Schachter! #12thMan pic.twitter.com/WhGKxgjkMd
— Aggie Men's Tennis (@AggieMTEN) November 8, 2017
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M men's tennis. Aggie fans also can keep up to date with the A&M men's tennis team on Twitter by following @AggieMTEN or on Facebook at Facebook.com/AggieMensTennis.
2018 Texas A&M Men's Tennis Signees
Austin Abbrat
Alejandro Vedri Asensi
Guido Marson
Jack Pulliam
Noah Schachter
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