Story Links
CHARLOTTESVILLE The Virginia men’s tennis team announced its 2009 recruiting class with three players joining the team. Dino Dell’Orto (Hong Kong, China), Jarmere Jenkins (College Park, Ga.), and Julen Uriguen (San Antonio, Texas and Guatemala City, Guatemala) will be the Cavaliers’ first-year class.
“I have signed some outstanding classes over the years but this particular group ranks up there as one of the best,” said Virginia head coach Brian Boland. “Dino, Jarmere, and Julen all are excellent fits for the University of Virginia both in the classroom and on the court. We are extremely excited to have them join the team. I believe each one of them brings the characteristics we are looking for at UVa when we bring student athletes into our program.”
Dell’Orto has been ranked as high as No. 87 in the ITF junior rankings. He has competed in the main draw of both the Australian Open Junior Championships and the Orange Bowl tournament. He is currently the No. 1 ranked junior in Hong Kong.
“I visited six schools in December and at the end of the day, I wanted to have an outstanding education with the best tennis program in the country and Virginia could offer me just that,” said Dell’Orto. “I loved the atmosphere of Grounds and the facilities were one of a kind. I always thought that I would end up in a big city for college coming from Hong Kong, but Virginia has turned that around with its humble campus feel. Another aspect that I deeply looked into were the coaches who have continuously proven that they have the willingness and desire to immensely improve the level of players throughout their years at UVa. Coach Boland, alongside Coach Bresky, have definitely linked together with great players to produce such a commanding team and I hope to follow in identical style. I’m really looking forward to becoming part of this program.”
“Dino wanted to be a Cavalier right away,” said Boland. “His passion and love of the game was obvious to our staff and he left little doubt in our minds that he was going to get the most out of his potential. He brings to UVa a wealth of international experience and is going to quickly develop in our environment. We are really excited to work with him.”
Jenkins is the top ranked American junior player to enter college this fall and has been ranked within the top 20 in the world ITF rankings. In December he won the Orange Bowl Doubles title while reaching the singles final. In February, he won the doubles title at a USTA Futures Circuit event in Texas, defeating former Cavalier All-American Treat Huey and Wake Forest All-American Todd Paul in the final. Last year, Jenkins played in the junior US Open, junior Wimbledon and junior French Open. In 2006, he reached the doubles final of the US Open Junior Championship.
“The main factor that went into my decision to come to Virginia was the team,” said Jenkins. “I get along great with the guys that are here. Coach Boland is a really good coach and the athletic program is top notch. I feel comfortable with the academics and the school is beautiful. It is a great place for me to grow and improve my tennis.”
“I have had the opportunity to get to know Jarmere and his family throughout the recruiting process and I have been so impressed,” said Boland. “Jarmere is dedicated to bringing his tennis to the next level has he has high goals and ambitions. He is a great athlete and has been working really hard to make his game more complete. Jarmere has been one of the top junior players in his age group for many years and brings a wealth of international experience to UVa. He is going to have an immediate impact.”
Uriguen is the one of the top junior players in the world, reaching a No. 4 ITF ranking earlier this year. A native of Guatemala who has dual citizenship, he trained in Texas at the John Newcombe Tennis Academy. In January Uriguen reached the semifinals of the Australian Open Junior Championships. Last December, he reached the final of the Eddie Herr Junior Tennis Championship, defeating current collegiate standouts Devin Britton and Chase Buchanan in the process. Last month he made his Davis Cup debut for Guatemala at the age of 17. He joins Sanam Singh (also ranked as high as No. 4 in the ITF rankings) as the highest ranked junior player to join the Cavalier program. He currently is competing internationally.
“I was looking for a school that could offer me both great academics and great sports, and Virginia was the perfect school to offer me both,” said Uriguen. “The team has great chemistry and I felt really comfortable with all of them. Coach Boland and Coach Bresky are great coaches and I am sure the we are going to have a great team next year.”
“We are thrilled with Julen’s decision to join our program,” said Boland. “He has had some impressive results and I know his best tennis is in front of him. Julen is determined to play at the next level and I have no doubt his game is going to improve and develop in our environment. He is a perfect fit for our program and everyone is excited about him joining us. Julen is going to have an immediate impact in our program.”