Ohio State Tennis

[Nacho]

It pains me to do it as I am not a fan of Ohio State in general, but the tennis programs at Ohio State are truly one of the best out there, and I am certainly a fan of the tennis program. The men have been in the top now the last 10 years, and the women are now among the elite. Ty Tucker has built a strong and competitive program that was traditionally mediocre in the Big Ten, and the school has buy in now when before they cared more about other sports. The local tennis community really supports the program with a good amount of people supporting the matches, even the smaller less significant one. There is a good mix of International and Domestic players, as well as a number of local Ohio talented players to root for.....Its a good model for other schools

Men took out Kentucky 4-1 on Friday, and then destroyed a Georgia team 4-0 that is probably struggling a little right now, but still a top team...

Women should have beaten UNC in the ITA indoor semi's, and certainly competed with them till the end. Their lineup is deep in the 3-6 spots and Dilorenzo is the top player in the nation at 1. It will be a close race all year with Ohio State, UNC and Florida, although I think Florida is certainly the strongest womens team out there right now.

Top notch team to watch in the ******* in the middle of a lot of vanilla college programs and challenging recruiting opportunities for tennis

 

[jhick]

Florida women are so deep this year. Any of their players would be #1's on most teams, as their #6 player is ranked at 30.

 

[jcgatennismom]

Men took out Kentucky 4-1 on Friday, and then destroyed a Georgia team 4-0 that is probably struggling a little right now, but still a top team...

/QUOTE]
I watched the tail end of the UGA/Ohio State match on livestream. Yes it was a bad week for Atlanta/N Georgia area D1 tennis teams-besides UGA losing, GA State lost 1-6 to South Alabama (conf match) after not losing any conf matches in season last year and Kennesaw lost to Wofford 3-4 after being up 3-0. GA Tech didnt play. I was hoping GA State might have a chance to break the top 50 once the expanded rankings came out after beating Fl State and Auburn early in the season, but now it looks unlikely. Hope GSU makes it to NCAA this year after barely missing out last year (losing in conf finals and being ranked in the 50s). However, they will have to be able to beat S Alabama by the end of the season for that to happen.

 

[Nacho]

Agreed, not a great day for Georgia tennis, but there have been a lot of good days too and UGA will rebound...Still a ton of tennis to play

 

[Nacho]

Florida women are so deep this year. Any of their players would be #1's on most teams, as their #6 player is ranked at 30.

yup, I said Florida is the team to beat...Although I think they play up and down quite a bit....Handley beat a really good UGA team, but struggle to get past Michigan. I think Michigan is good, but shouldn't have been that close. We'll know more when OSU plays Michigan this week....Florida has let downs in play which hurts them sometimes. They'll be up for UNC

 

[UhhCanJenGo]

Adding JJ Wolf to the lineup at #2 was a huge pickup. DiFeo and Joyce at 2nd doubles will be hard to beat. Deep, talented roster with Torp at #1? This year might be OSU's best chance to take the NCAA.

 

[Nacho]

Adding JJ Wolf to the lineup at #2 was a huge pickup. DiFeo and Joyce at 2nd doubles will be hard to beat. Deep, talented roster with Torp at #1? This year might be OSU's best chance to take the NCAA.

They have a great chance, and a tough schedule to help prepare them. The indoors will be telling, not sure how they match up against Wake or Virginia but it will be interesting to see. Herkko is playing great this year....solid 4 player, and Joyce and Seelig really give them depth. JJ is a good add, but he is still learning how to compete in the team events, he has gotten down and had to fight his way back just about every tough match. If OSU loses a doubles point, that could be too much against the depth of a school like Virginia, but I like their chances this year!

 

[SEC_Scrong]

They have a great chance, and a tough schedule to help prepare them. The indoors will be telling, not sure how they match up against Wake or Virginia but it will be interesting to see. Herkko is playing great this year....solid 4 player, and Joyce and Seelig really give them depth. JJ is a good add, but he is still learning how to compete in the team events, he has gotten down and had to fight his way back just about every tough match. If OSU loses a doubles point, that could be too much against the depth of a school like Virginia, but I like their chances this year!

Wolf is vulnerable especially at 2, but having him that high in the lineup and pushing everyone back is awesome for the buckeyes.

 

[Nacho]

Wolf is vulnerable especially at 2, but having him that high in the lineup and pushing everyone back is awesome for the buckeyes.

Totally. I really think Difeo should be playing 2, but Wolf is competing at least. Just seems to have to struggle to get the win, and hasn't finished many matches yet. He's going to be a great player, so is McNally when he starts.

 

[Gracelhink]

Totally. I really think Difeo should be playing 2, but Wolf is competing at least. Just seems to have to struggle to get the win, and hasn't finished many matches yet. He's going to be a great player, so is McNally when he starts.

Hey Nacho thank you for introducing this conversation and agree wholeheartedly about McNally
I do think #2 is a place Bucks are vulnerable, but based on UTR Wolfe is the 2nd highest rated player on the team.
Di Feo had a strong fall campaign, with deep runs into the tourneys, seems to be coming back to the pack at #3.
My opinion is that Hugo is so well-conditioned that when opponents hit the wall over long tourneys, fatigue factors in their performance, but not so much for DiFeo.
ala Chris Diaz he gets better the longer a match goes.
Herkko seems to play to the level of the competition, his upside and max level performance is outstanding,
However he seems to hit streaks where he will lose the zone. During time of frustration, I have noticed that Tucker has been very affirming, coaches him UP.
That is a sign of a coach who has played the game at a high level, assesses strategy, diagnostics of the game and excels to motivate for peak performance.

 

[Nacho]

Hey Nacho thank you for introducing this conversation and agree wholeheartedly about McNally
I do think #2 is a place Bucks are vulnerable, but based on UTR Wolfe is the 2nd highest rated player on the team.
Di Feo had a strong fall campaign, with deep runs into the tourneys, seems to be coming back to the pack at #3.
My opinion is that Hugo is so well-conditioned that when opponents hit the wall over long tourneys, fatigue factors in their performance, but not so much for DiFeo.
ala Chris Diaz he gets better the longer a match goes.
Herkko seems to play to the level of the competition, his upside and max level performance is outstanding,
However he seems to hit streaks where he will lose the zone. During time of frustration, I have noticed that Tucker has been very affirming, coaches him UP.
That is a sign of a coach who has played the game at a high level, assesses strategy, diagnostics of the game and excels to motivate for peak performance.

Interesting analysis, seems you view the team quite a bit. Totally agree with you on Herkko, can be a great player, or lousy. Seen him give away some matches where he is much more talented. Yes, JJ is a really good player, but he literally just graduated HS I would probably have started him at 3 and let him warm up into it, but the lineup is so strong maybe it doesn't matter. I really like Seelig that guy guts out matches and is the perfect #5/6 player. Really took it to a good player in Walker Duncan last week. Doesn't get intimidated by opponents. The team is strong down the line. On the womens side you can almost say the same thing although I think Sanford is really struggling at #2 right now. But everyone else seems to be able to carry the team, no doubt they can beat UNC or Florida, we'll see in a few weeks.

Tucker has done a great job, a model for other coaches looking to build their programs. I remember when I first moved to Columbus they were very mediocre at best, with terrible facilities and little support from the school or athletic department. Now, the mens team has been one of the top 5 best teams in the country the last 15 years, and they do it quietly without a lot of attention. And also now the women's program is up there too it will be interesting to see if they maintain a top spot as well.

Not a Buckeye fan (SEC guy), but a big fan of the tennis program at OSU and a fan of the teams, I'm fortunate to have such great tennis so close between these teams, the challenger events, and the ATP in Cincinnati.

 

[Nacho]

And it looks like the B1G will be a snoozer for them. Took out PSU in a hot second last night 4-0...And PSU made the tournament last year....I would say Northwestern and Michigan will be their toughest matches, both are away. Illinois maybe, but I think they are rebuilding this year.....

 

[illinoisportsfan]

It pains me to do it as I am not a fan of Ohio State in general, but the tennis programs at Ohio State are truly one of the best out there, and I am certainly a fan of the tennis program. The men have been in the top now the last 10 years, and the women are now among the elite. Ty Tucker has built a strong and competitive program that was traditionally mediocre in the Big Ten, and the school has buy in now when before they cared more about other sports. The local tennis community really supports the program with a good amount of people supporting the matches, even the smaller less significant one. There is a good mix of International and Domestic players, as well as a number of local Ohio talented players to root for.....Its a good model for other schools

Top notch team to watch in the ******* in the middle of a lot of vanilla college programs and challenging recruiting opportunities for tennis

Ohio State modeled their program after Illinois, but with more foreign players. Nobody thought a cold-weather school in the Mid-west could compete for national titles in tennis anymore until Tiley built Illinois into a powerhouse and swept the titles in 2003. Ohio State benefited when Tiley left for Australia. Tucker has proven to be a great coach and has sustained excellence at tOSU for a long time now. I like the fact that he has done it at his Alma mater.

 

[Nacho]

Ohio State modeled their program after Illinois, but with more foreign players. Nobody thought a cold-weather school in the Mid-west could compete for national titles in tennis anymore until Tiley built Illinois into a powerhouse and swept the titles in 2003. Ohio State benefited when Tiley left for Australia. Tucker has proven to be a great coach and has sustained excellence at tOSU for a long time now. I like the fact that he has done it at his Alma mater.

Probably some truth to that...Although I have read that they really took a look at many of the things the SEC and PAC 12 schools were doing and implemented them at OSU. Illinois has a long sustained program, and has been fairly well supported. Dominated the B1G for years along with Michigan. Still a good team although they seem to be in a rebuilding year, for them at least. How do you feel about the team this year? I have them falling behind NW and Michigan right now, might be able to pull a win off one of them though

I hear a lot of Illinois fans pick on OSU about foreigners, but there are only three on the team? Illinois has three as well. Rola and Torpegaard are the two that have had a big impact at OSU, but Illinois had Anderson and Vukic? Doesn't really matter, I would say that Illinois and Ohio State have built winners with a good mix, while many SEC and some ACC schools have half their team, in some cases the whole team, filled with foreign players. So I would say kudos to Dancer and Tucker for building good programs with a mix of talent.

I like seeing Illinois be a top 10 team, I hope they can get back there next year.

 

[UhhCanJenGo]

OSU blanks OU.

 

[Nacho]

OSU blanks OU.

They have had their number the last year. Although the three unfinished singles matches were on their way to be 3 setters. Court 1 was close for a set....Papa let his match slip away...And Joyce is a strong 5, probably a 3 or 4 on a lot of teams.

More impressed with Texas right now, wow handing it to UF. I picked UF in this one

 

[coyote]

They have had their number the last year. Although the three unfinished singles matches were on their way to be 3 setters. Court 1 was close for a set....Papa let his match slip away...And Joyce is a strong 5, probably a 3 or 4 on a lot of teams.

More impressed with Texas right now, wow handing it to UF. I picked UF in this one

Good win for tOSU. The match was probably a little closer than a 4-0 indicates but the Buckeyes were pretty dominant on those 3 singles lines they won. tOSU looks like a tough out for anybody.

 

[cleveland22]

OSU recently approved several new building in their athletic district such as multi sport arena ($30MM) for wrestling, volleyball, fencing, etc. They are also building a new athletic complex ($35MM) with a weight room, nutrition center, locker rooms, etc. Any news if they plan on putting a new indoor tennis complex in this new athletic district?

 

[UhhCanJenGo]

gawd i hope so. the VTC is definitely a step up from whatever hell they used to play in, but i'm guessing they'll need to bring home the championship in order to REALLY justify that sort of investment. who knows.

 

[Nacho]

OSU recently approved several new building in their athletic district such as multi sport arena ($30MM) for wrestling, volleyball, fencing, etc. They are also building a new athletic complex ($35MM) with a weight room, nutrition center, locker rooms, etc. Any news if they plan on putting a new indoor tennis complex in this new athletic district?

I haven't heard of anything definite; I did get wind they were considering an indoor facility on campus to try and attract more students to the matches. This would be a possible location near the current outdoor facility, so maybe it is mixed in with what you describe. Their current VTC they are leasing and its off campus about 10 minutes, so I am pretty sure they can get out of it when needed. Plus, as nice as it is it still doesn't have very good viewing for most of the courts. I am pretty sure they want something newer and more accesible. If I hear I'll add to this thread

 

[Nacho]

gawd i hope so. the VTC is definitely a step up from whatever hell they used to play in, but i'm guessing they'll need to bring home the championship in order to REALLY justify that sort of investment. who knows.

They basically plaid in a rec house, with horrible lighting. And then for a few years used a local club for some of their matches. The VTC they got into around 2008 (I think), made a big difference.

 

[Nacho]

Wow, what a match today. Anyone who is a fan of tennis would have enjoyed that match between Wake and OSU. A battle to the end, great doubles tiebreak to start, a few 3 set matches, and then an intense third set tiebreak between the 1 and 2 players. Its a shame the casual tennis fan isn't exposed to this. Will be a great finals tomorrow!

 

[illinoisportsfan]

Probably some truth to that...Although I have read that they really took a look at many of the things the SEC and PAC 12 schools were doing and implemented them at OSU. Illinois has a long sustained program, and has been fairly well supported. Dominated the B1G for years along with Michigan. Still a good team although they seem to be in a rebuilding year, for them at least. How do you feel about the team this year? I have them falling behind NW and Michigan right now, might be able to pull a win off one of them though

I hear a lot of Illinois fans pick on OSU about foreigners, but there are only three on the team? Illinproois has three as well. Rola and Torpegaard are the two that have had a big impact at OSU, but Illinois had Anderson and Vukic? Doesn't really matter, I would say that Illinois and Ohio State have built winners with a good mix, while many SEC and some ACC schools have half their team, in some cases the whole team, filled with foreign players. So I would say kudos to Dancer and Tucker for building good programs with a mix of talent.

I like seeing Illinois be a top 10 team, I hope they can get back there next year.

When Tiley was in charge, he believed strongly in recruiting mostly American players (ironically, since he was South African). The 2003 national championship team was composed entirely of US high school players. Amer Delic was Bosnian, but his family immigrated to Florida before he began high school. Later, Tiley recruited Anderson from South Africa and G.D. Jones from New Zealand, but his teams were always made up of mostly American players.

Also, all of the foreign players who have played at Illinois over the years have been 18-19 years old when they started their college careers, not the experienced ringers who have typically played at Ohio State after 2-3 years on the pro circuit. (Torpegaard will be 24 by the time he graduates from tOSU, for instance.) That is the biggest difference and something Tiley and Dancer have been outspoken about.

Dancer has recruited more foreign players, mainly because he wasn't getting the caliber of American player Tiley had. However, his teams have always been primarily American. This year's team typically starts one or two foreigners. They also have a couple players who are foreign nationals, but played high school in the US.

One other thing that has changed from Tiley's to Dancer's teams at Illinois is that Tiley usually had mostly tall, big-serving players, while Dancer has had more of the shorter, grinder-type players. Under Tiley, doubles was always a big strength for the Illini, while under Dancer it has been a huge weakness. The teams Ohio State typically fields more resemble Tiley's old Illinois teams in that way.

As far as this year's team, I think they will be up and down. They have a good group of freshmen. Gomes has been great so far. I heard that Zeke Clark is recovering from an injury, so I think a lot of the team's success will depend on his improvement because he's gotten off to a bit of a rough start and a lot was expected of him being a top-5 recruit.

Next year, they have another very strong recruiting class coming in, so they should be really good for the next several years, at least, barring injuries.

 

[chris-swede]

Monster win for Ohio State! i think they are not that good outdoors but defintely a top5 team

 

[Nacho]

When Tiley was in charge, he believed strongly in recruiting mostly American players (ironically, since he was South African). The 2003 national championship team was composed entirely of US high school players. Amer Delic was Bosnian, but his family immigrated to Florida before he began high school. Later, Tiley recruited Anderson from South Africa and G.D. Jones from New Zealand, but his teams were always made up of mostly American players.

Also, all of the foreign players who have played at Illinois over the years have been 18-19 years old when they started their college careers, not the experienced ringers who have typically played at Ohio State after 2-3 years on the pro circuit. (Torpegaard will be 24 by the time he graduates from tOSU, for instance.) That is the biggest difference and something Tiley and Dancer have been outspoken about.

Dancer has recruited more foreign players, mainly because he wasn't getting the caliber of American player Tiley had. However, his teams have always been primarily American. This year's team typically starts one or two foreigners. They also have a couple players who are foreign nationals, but played high school in the US.

One other thing that has changed from Tiley's to Dancer's teams at Illinois is that Tiley usually had mostly tall, big-serving players, while Dancer has had more of the shorter, grinder-type players. Under Tiley, doubles was always a big strength for the Illini, while under Dancer it has been a huge weakness. The teams Ohio State typically fields more resemble Tiley's old Illinois teams in that way.

Not even sure why we are having this discussion. College tennis teams are made up of 67% Foreign born players today, and many are older; its just how the European school system works depending on what countries you recruit from. There are teams in D-1 that don't have a single American player, especially in the SEC. Even some teams in the B1G are made up mostly of foreign players (Iowa/Minnesota). Foreign players are part of the process, and I would say Tucker and Dancer have done a good job of mixing in plenty of local talent (Buchanan, Kobelt, and now Wareti, McNally, Wolf, Thomas, A. Kobelt) as much as any foreign talent. Your getting into too many x's and o's, both programs have support tennis locally and continue to do so....While building good programs. 6 of 9 Oklahoma players are foreign, and older...and has competed in the finals a few years in a row. Thats the team that kept Illinois from competing in the indoor this year, aren't you more annoyed by that?

Not here to disparage Illinois tennis, its a good program and love to see them competing at the top. Very happy for Ohio State and the excellence that has been built in that program. Its a model for others to follow. Rivalry aside, I would think the B1G would be proud of both programs relative to what other conferences do with their players and success.

 

[Nacho]

Monster win for Ohio State! i think they are not that good outdoors but defintely a top5 team

Monster win....And yes, a lot of indoors play hurts them in the spring outside. The VTC is a fast surface and indoor facility. If they play outside on slow hard courts it negates the team speed and power. They will have a mountain to climb in Athens this spring. You could really see it when they played Georgia a few weeks ago, a team that is comprised mostly of counter punchers. Indoors they beat up on them pretty good, but outside in Athens will be a different game.

 

[illinoisportsfan]

Not even sure why we are having this discussion. C (ollege tennis teams are made up of 67% Foreign born players today, and many are older; its just how the European school system works depending on what countries you recruit from. There are teams in D-1 that don't have a single American player, especially in the SEC. Even some teams in the B1G are made up mostly of foreign players (Iowa/Minnesota). Foreign players are part of the process, and I would say Tucker and Dancer have done a good job of mixing in plenty of local talent (Buchanan, Kobelt, and now Wareti, McNally, Wolf, Thomas, A. Kobelt) as much as any foreign talent. Your getting into too many x's and o's, both programs have support tennis locally and continue to do so....While building good programs. 6 of 9 Oklahoma players are foreign, and older...and has competed in the finals a few years in a row. Thats the team that kept Illinois from competing in the indoor this year, aren't you more annoyed by that?

Not here to disparage Illinois tennis, its a good program and love to see them competing at the top. Very happy for Ohio State and the excellence that has been built in that program. Its a model for others to follow. Rivalry aside, I would think the B1G would be proud of both programs relative to what other conferences do with their players and success.

The only reason I brought it up is because you asked what the difference was between the two programs. Mainly, it's the age and experience thing. Tiley had argued it was unfair to have guys who are several years older with years of experience on the ATP tour competing against American kids right out of high school. They have changed the rules, somewhat, over the years to make it more even.

Also, some people have a problem with the fact that we have state-supported schools who are giving out most of their scholarships to non-Americans. In Illinois, there has been a lot of consternation over the fact that the University of Illinois has so many foreign students (2nd-most in the nation last I saw), while many really strong high school students from the state can't get in--even though their tax dollars are helping support the university. Of course, the reason they are taking more international students is because the state government keeps cutting their funding and they need the extra money.

I don't have any problem with foreign players in college tennis. I think it's great for the development of the top players, especially. I do have a problem with teams that are made up almost exclusively of foreigners and I also thought it was unfair when US players had a completely different criteria for eligibility, but that has been rectified somewhat.

 

[Nacho]

Never asked, just asked how you felt about the Illinois team this year in general since they have gotten off to a subpar start for them. The differences in programs are argumentative and not real important.

Yes the foreign player stuff has been around awhile, its not a new phenomenon. They have been bringing in Foreign players since the 50's, UCLA and USC always did it back in the day (Stan Smith)....Tennis is an international sport, it should have a mix of players. I just don't like when a program has a foreign only recruiting approach like Mississippi State, or Ole Miss. OSU and Illinois are not even close to that.

OSU and Illinois are pretty good at keeping a healthy balance, not sure it matters who did what or the particulars of it. Still a much better balance then most D-1 schools out there especially in other conferences.

 

[cBucks]

My thoughts:

2011-12 (5 out of the 6 are Americans, including 3 from Ohio)
1. Chase Buchanan (Columbus, Ohio)
2. Blaz Rola (Slovenia)
3. Peter Kobelt (Columbus, Ohio)
4. Devin McCarthy (Cincinnati, Ohio)
5. Hunter Callahan (Pennsylvania)
6. Connor Smith (Florida)

2012-13 (4 out of 6 Americans, 3 rom Ohio)
1. Blaz Rola (Slovenia)
2. Peter Kobelt (Columbus, Ohio)
3. Connor Smith (Florida)
4. Devin McCarthy (Cincinnati, Ohio)
5. Chris Diaz (Columbus, Ohio)
6. Constantin Christ (Germany)

2013-14 (4 out of 6 Americans, 3 from Ohio)
1. Peter Kobelt (Columbus, Ohio)
2. Herkko Pollanen (Finland)
3. Ralf Steinbach (Germany)
4. Chris Diaz (Columbus, Ohio)
5. Hunter Callahan (Pennsylvania)
6. Kevin Metka (Columbus, Ohio)

2014-15 (3 out of 6 Americans, 2 from Ohio)
1. Mikael Torpegaard (Denmark)
2. Chris Diaz (Columbus, Ohio)
3. Herkko Pollanen (Finland)
4. Hunter Callahan (Pennsylvania)
5. Kevin Metka (Columbus, Ohio)
6. Ralf Steinbach (Germany)

2015-16 (2 out of 6 Americans, 1 from Ohio)
1. Mikael Torpegaard (Denmark)
2. Chris Diaz (Columbus, Ohio)
3. Hugo Di Feo (Canada)
4. Ralf Steinbach (Germany)
5. Herkko Pollanen (Finland)
6. Martin Joyce (Illinois)

2016-17 (3 out of 6 Americans, 1 from Ohio)
1. Mikael Torpegaard (Denmark)
2. Hugo Di Feo (Canada)
3. JJ Wolf (Cincinnati, Ohio)
4. Herkko Pollanen (Finland)
5. Martin Joyce (Illinois)
6. Kyle Seelig (Pennsylvania)

Prior to these last few years, many of the guys who laid the foundation for recent years are also from Ohio. Guys like Justin Kronauge, Vincent Ng, Phil Metz, Matt Allare, Ross Wilson, Scott Green are all Ohio guys, and then other Americans like Jeremy Wurtzman, Bryan Koniecko, Drew Eberly, and Chris Klingemann were also big contributors. And our Head Coach and Assistant Coach are both from Ohio and played for Ohio State. Next year, John McNally from Cincinnati, Ohio will also play very high in the lineup. When OSU got to the finals of the NCAA doubles 4 years ago, it was two Columbus, Ohio guys (Kobelt and Metka), and when they won the doubles a couple years prior to that (Rola, Buchanan) one was from Columbus.

Sure, Blaz Rola, Steven Moneke and other international players have also made their mark, but I don’t know how OSU got this reputation with Illinois fans as being this bastion of international tennis.

 

[Nacho]

My thoughts:

2011-12 (5 out of the 6 are Americans, including 3 from Ohio)
1. Chase Buchanan (Columbus, Ohio)
2. Blaz Rola (Slovenia)
3. Peter Kobelt (Columbus, Ohio)
4. Devin McCarthy (Cincinnati, Ohio)
5. Hunter Callahan (Pennsylvania)
6. Connor Smith (Florida)

2012-13 (4 out of 6 Americans, 3 rom Ohio)
1. Blaz Rola (Slovenia)
2. Peter Kobelt (Columbus, Ohio)
3. Connor Smith (Florida)
4. Devin McCarthy (Cincinnati, Ohio)
5. Chris Diaz (Columbus, Ohio)
6. Constantin Christ (Germany)

2013-14 (4 out of 6 Americans, 3 from Ohio)
1. Peter Kobelt (Columbus, Ohio)
2. Herkko Pollanen (Finland)
3. Ralf Steinbach (Germany)
4. Chris Diaz (Columbus, Ohio)
5. Hunter Callahan (Pennsylvania)
6. Kevin Metka (Columbus, Ohio)

2014-15 (3 out of 6 Americans, 2 from Ohio)
1. Mikael Torpegaard (Denmark)
2. Chris Diaz (Columbus, Ohio)
3. Herkko Pollanen (Finland)
4. Hunter Callahan (Pennsylvania)
5. Kevin Metka (Columbus, Ohio)
6. Ralf Steinbach (Germany)

2015-16 (2 out of 6 Americans, 1 from Ohio)
1. Mikael Torpegaard (Denmark)
2. Chris Diaz (Columbus, Ohio)
3. Hugo Di Feo (Canada)
4. Ralf Steinbach (Germany)
5. Herkko Pollanen (Finland)
6. Martin Joyce (Illinois)

2016-17 (3 out of 6 Americans, 1 from Ohio)
1. Mikael Torpegaard (Denmark)
2. Hugo Di Feo (Canada)
3. JJ Wolf (Cincinnati, Ohio)
4. Herkko Pollanen (Finland)
5. Martin Joyce (Illinois)
6. Kyle Seelig (Pennsylvania)

Prior to these last few years, many of the guys who laid the foundation for recent years are also from Ohio. Guys like Justin Kronauge, Vincent Ng, Phil Metz, Matt Allare, Ross Wilson, Scott Green are all Ohio guys, and then other Americans like Jeremy Wurtzman, Bryan Koniecko, Drew Eberly, and Chris Klingemann were also big contributors. And our Head Coach and Assistant Coach are both from Ohio and played for Ohio State. Next year, John McNally from Cincinnati, Ohio will also play very high in the lineup. When OSU got to the finals of the NCAA doubles 4 years ago, it was two Columbus, Ohio guys (Kobelt and Metka), and when they won the doubles a couple years prior to that (Rola, Buchanan) one was from Columbus.

Sure, Blaz Rola, Steven Moneke and other international players have also made their mark, but I don’t know how OSU got this reputation with Illinois fans as being this bastion of international tennis.

Thanks, I am not sure why they are so focused on it either....especially with the way other programs handle it. Thanks for pulling the research

 

[Clemson_tennis]

Yes the foreign player stuff has been around awhile, its not a new phenomenon. They have been bringing in Foreign players since the 50's, UCLA and USC always did it back in the day (Stan Smith)....Tennis is an international sport, it should have a mix of players. I just don't like when a program has a foreign only recruiting approach like Mississippi State, or Ole Miss. OSU and Illinois are not even close to that.
s.

I know I am in the minority on this but I respect the hell out of Mississippi State's program. Every year they bring in new international guys and every year they plug in and pick up where the previous players left off. They do not have down years and in a place like Starkville, it's pretty impressive.

Now they could institute some imagined "ethics" and recruit Americans just because and sacrifice being a good program but they don't do it, they are committed to being successful and I think that's great. It's a similar story at Oklahoma State.

 

[Nacho]

I know I am in the minority on this but I respect the hell out of Mississippi State's program. Every year they bring in new international guys and every year they plug in and pick up where the previous players left off. They do not have down years and in a place like Starkville, it's pretty impressive.

Now they could institute some imagined "ethics" and recruit Americans just because and sacrifice being a good program but they don't do it, they are committed to being successful and I think that's great. It's a similar story at Oklahoma State.

Don't disagree with you. Miss St. has built a program recruiting foreign players, for a long time. And truly, I don't have much of an issue with it as I think having high level Foreign players is good for tennis. Only brining it up because for some reason other B1G schools claim that Ohio State is some kind of hot bed of foreign players, and I disagree with that and was only comparing the program to schools such as Miss st or Old Miss.

And yes your right, there are other schools that have followed this approach. For some coaches out there they take it too far and only use foreign players. Lots of mid majors that fill their rosters with foreigners hoping to pull off some good ones, meanwhile some potentially good American Jr's are overlooked or relegated to no scholarships or dropping tennis altogether. But that has been hashed out here plenty on other forums.

 

[Nacho]

Tough fought match today, hats off to Virginia. Definitely a deep team, and clearly whomever won the doubles point won the match. But, OSU fought hard and made it close, they'll get another crack later in the spring hopefully. Clearly these are the two best teams right now.

 

[Gracelhink]

My thoughts:

2016-17 (3 out of 6 Americans, 1 from Ohio)
1. Mikael Torpegaard (Denmark)
2. Hugo Di Feo (Canada)
3. JJ Wolf (Cincinnati, Ohio)
4. Herkko Pollanen (Finland)
5. Martin Joyce (Illinois)
6. Kyle Seelig (Pennsylvania)
...
.

hey cbucks absolutely great research!

My only comment is that Canadians are international students but most consider themselves to be Americans.

 

[Nacho]

hey cbucks absolutely great research!

My only comment is that most consider Canadians as international students but they are still Americans.

Ha, cbucks didn't highlight him as US. But since he is from Montreal thats closer to Columbus then California. Kinda like no-ad scoring, its all how you look at it.

 

[chris-swede]

crazy match and osu nearly pulled the upset!

 

[Nacho]

crazy match and osu nearly pulled the upset!

Crazy match....if Herkko (or Difeo) pulled off the tiebreak they had the two other matches in hand. A lot closer then the 4-1 score, and the way the doubles point ended is suspect.

 

[Nacho]

I realize its still early in the season, but pretty cool to see OSU men up to number one in the rankings. And a big win for the team over Florida, at Florida. They have basically swept the SEC power schools so far this year. Women had a great weekend blanking both Baylor and Miami. Congrats to both programs on the early success. Still a lot of matches to play but they are a good team to watch

 

[chris-swede]

OSU can win it all!!! Heard it first here!

 

[UhhCanJenGo]

OSU sweeps OU 4-0.

 

[Nacho]

OSU sweeps OU 4-0.

Doubles was close, but the singles matches were in hand fairly quick.

 

[chris-swede]

a real No.1 in my eyes!
but to be fair, Okie had no Harris in their lineup. To have not the No.1 Player in your Team really hurts

 

[Nacho]

a real No.1 in my eyes!
but to be fair, Okie had no Harris in their lineup. To have not the No.1 Player in your Team really hurts

True, but they beat them with Harris in the lineup at the indoors, so they have this teams number right now

 

[The Educator]

Ohio State looking very strong. Doubles needs to be polished to have a chance vs UVA. Curious though as to how Ohio State puts the #3 player in the country at #3 ahead of an unranked player, albeit a very good one. It looks like Okie was also without Duke transfer Adrian Chamdani, who slotted in the lineup vs Florida (3 sets loss).

 

[Nacho]

Ohio State looking very strong. Doubles needs to be polished to have a chance vs UVA. Curious though as to how Ohio State puts the #3 player in the country at #3 ahead of an unranked player, albeit a very good one. It looks like Okie was also without Duke transfer Adrian Chamdani, who slotted in the lineup vs Florida (3 sets loss).

Yea, a few people have asked. My understanding is he came in with a higher UTR. He is a freshman who just enrolled in January, so he doesn't have the ranking yet from playing fall tournaments. Not sure how they match up in practice, but he is a really good player. He and Difeo have switched back and forth a few times

 

[Clemson_tennis]

a real No.1 in my eyes!
but to be fair, Okie had no Harris in their lineup. To have not the No.1 Player in your Team really hurts

As always for Ohio State it'll come down to how well they adjust to outdoors late in the year. Can they beat an outdoor team like Texas, Cal, USC, UCLA, Florida, Georgia etc when it comes down to crunch time in the NCAAs this year?

 

[osutennis24]

Man I really hope Ohio St can win it all this year.

 

[lostinamerica]

Buckeyes look vvery good this year but it is still very hard to bet against UVA. I do think they will be the teams in the finals.

 

[Nacho]

Buckeyes look vvery good this year but it is still very hard to bet against UVA. I do think they will be the teams in the finals.

I think so too, although I think Wake is a very good team, and there will probably be another that gains some steam going into the tournament like UNC. Florida and Georgia were both playing well last May, could be an outsider this year there are some solid teams.

OSU made it close with UVA, singles was split, and most matches were in to three sets.....Would love to see a rematch

 

[osutennis24]

I think so too, although I think Wake is a very good team, and there will probably be another that gains some steam going into the tournament like UNC. Florida and Georgia were both playing well last May, could be an outsider this year there are some solid teams.

OSU made it close with UVA, singles was split, and most matches were in to three sets.....Would love to see a rematch

I'd rather not LOL