University of Tennessee Athletics
TENNIS VOLS TO ADD THREE NEW MEMBERS AT MIDTERM BREAK
November 01, 2005 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Nov. 1, 2005
Tennessee men's tennis coach Chris Mahony announced Tuesday that the tennis team has signed three new members for the spring 2006 season. Adam Hubble, Davey Sandgren and Derek Stephens all will enroll at the University of Tennessee in January.
"I am very excited about this class," Mahony said. "One would have to go a long way to find three guys who are as dedicated to working hard as these guys are. I expect Adam, Davey and Derek to all have a big impact on our program. (Assistant coach Chris) Woodruff and I are looking forward to working with each of them and helping them reach their potential."
Hubble hails from Melbourne, Australia, and is currently ranked No. 67 in the Australian National Men's rankings. He has been ranked as high as No. 26 in Australia's Boys' 18-and-under rankings and has qualified for the Main Draw in four ITF Future events in 2005. Hubble chose Tennessee over Auburn, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Arizona State. He will be one of two Vols on the squad who are from Australia, joining sophomore Kaden Hensel.
"There is no doubt that Adam is one of the fastest-improving young Australian players out there," Mahony said. "He has a great attitude and work ethic and is fiercely determined to see how good he can become."
Sandgren is from Gallatin, Tenn. He has been ranked as high as No. 14 in the nation, No. 1 in the South, and No. 1 in Tennessee in the Boys' 18-and-under division. Sandgren chose Tennessee over Georgia Tech, North Carolina State and Vanderbilt.
"Davey is simply one of those well-rounded student-athletes that every program wants," Mahony said. "He is of tremendous character, is outstanding academically and has the potential to have a very successful tennis career."
Stephens comes from from Matthews, N.C., and has been rated as high as No. 15 in the 2004 Boys' 18-and-under national standings. Stephens is familiar with fellow recruit Sandgren, as the two have played doubles together.
"Derek is a great player," Mahony said. "He has worked extremely hard physically to get back on the court after a long-term injury in mid-2004. He has also worked hard academically to give himself this opportunity. I'm proud of him for overcoming some obstacles, and now it's simply up to him to make the most of it."
The trio will see its first action as Tenessee Vols in January when it participates in the SEC Men's Coaches' Indoor Championships in Lexington, Ky.
