Mavs Sign Two to National Letters of Intent
Apr 27, 2012 | General, Men's Tennis
OMAHA, Neb. – University of Nebraska Omaha tennis head coach Mike Saniuk has signed two recruits to National Letters of Intent to join the Maverick men's team in the 2012-13 school year.
Conner Tieszen, a standout at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S.D., and John Ellis, a standout from Boone High School in Boone, Iowa, will join the Mavericks as freshmen this fall.
Tieszen is ranked as the top player in South Dakota, 14th in the Plains region and 347th nationally, according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.
Last year, Tieszen finished third in No. 1 singles and doubles at the 2011 South Dakota state tournament while helping Washington to a second-place team finish. As a sophomore in 2010, Tieszen was named to the all-tournament team after upsetting the Nos. 5 and 4 seeds on his way to a third-place finish.
"Conner is a great kid. He will help us a lot on and off the court with his work ethic," Saniuk said. "Conner has a big game. He has a huge serve and a forehand to go with it. He is not afraid to take chances on the court when the opportunity presents itself, and that's something I like in a player. I see Conner making an impact right away this fall."
Ellis is ranked second in the state of Iowa, 19th in the Plains region and 410th nationally, according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.
Ellis earned the top seed in Iowa's Class 1A State Tournament last year and finished with a fourth-place finish. As a freshman in 2009, Ellis and his doubles partner advanced to the quarterfinals of the State Coed Tennis Tournament.
"John will help give our team a lot more depth over the next four years," Saniuk said. "John is a controlled but aggressive player from the baseline. He doesn't like to hold back on the court. John will help us a lot in doubles as well. He brings a great serve and volley mentality every time he steps out into a doubles match. John will also be a leader off the court with his work ethic and his dedication to academics."
The Mavs will return seven of their top eight players next fall, including Matt Frost and Eric McKnight, who redshirted during the 2011-12 season after playing the 2010-11 season as two of the Mavs' top three players.
"Our tennis program is growing and making changes to become the best we can be," Saniuk said. "We have started something special here at UNO, and I have some high expectations for next year. We have a lot of our top talent returning, and we are adding a solid core of guys in this year's recruiting class."
Conner Tieszen, a standout at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S.D., and John Ellis, a standout from Boone High School in Boone, Iowa, will join the Mavericks as freshmen this fall.
Tieszen is ranked as the top player in South Dakota, 14th in the Plains region and 347th nationally, according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.
Last year, Tieszen finished third in No. 1 singles and doubles at the 2011 South Dakota state tournament while helping Washington to a second-place team finish. As a sophomore in 2010, Tieszen was named to the all-tournament team after upsetting the Nos. 5 and 4 seeds on his way to a third-place finish.
"Conner is a great kid. He will help us a lot on and off the court with his work ethic," Saniuk said. "Conner has a big game. He has a huge serve and a forehand to go with it. He is not afraid to take chances on the court when the opportunity presents itself, and that's something I like in a player. I see Conner making an impact right away this fall."
Ellis is ranked second in the state of Iowa, 19th in the Plains region and 410th nationally, according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.
Ellis earned the top seed in Iowa's Class 1A State Tournament last year and finished with a fourth-place finish. As a freshman in 2009, Ellis and his doubles partner advanced to the quarterfinals of the State Coed Tennis Tournament.
"John will help give our team a lot more depth over the next four years," Saniuk said. "John is a controlled but aggressive player from the baseline. He doesn't like to hold back on the court. John will help us a lot in doubles as well. He brings a great serve and volley mentality every time he steps out into a doubles match. John will also be a leader off the court with his work ethic and his dedication to academics."
The Mavs will return seven of their top eight players next fall, including Matt Frost and Eric McKnight, who redshirted during the 2011-12 season after playing the 2010-11 season as two of the Mavs' top three players.
"Our tennis program is growing and making changes to become the best we can be," Saniuk said. "We have started something special here at UNO, and I have some high expectations for next year. We have a lot of our top talent returning, and we are adding a solid core of guys in this year's recruiting class."
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
