Maria Brito Headed To Tulane, Geoff Hernandez Takes Over at Lipscomb, Jackie Tang Wins 4+ Hour Match in Hong Kong

Tagged with: Geoff Hernandez, Gio Oradini, Jackie Tang, Lipscomb, Maria Brito, Scott Brown, Tulane, Virginia, William Blumberg

Tulane Athletic Director Troy Dannen announced the hiring of Maria Brito as the Green Wave’s new women’s head coach. Brito comes to New Orleans after spending the last four season as the assistant coach at her alma mater Clemson. Brito replaces Terri Sisk who stepped down in April after going 120-75 over the past nine seasons including 22-7 this past season. Below are some quotes from Tulane’s release:

“We feel very fortunate to add Maria as the leader to our women’s tennis program,” Dannen stated. “Her experience as both a player and coach at the highest level, and her demonstrated commitment to all aspects of an outstanding student-athlete, are tremendous assets for our program. Maria brings high energy and enthusiasm to New Orleans and Tulane University and shares our vision for Tulane women’s tennis as a consistent top-25 program.”

“First and foremost, I would like to thank Troy Dannen, Rob Bernardi, Mark Booras and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity to join such a prestigious institution,” Brito stated. “I am deeply grateful and humbled to be chosen to lead Tulane’s Women’s Tennis Program.

 

“I am extremely excited for the future of the Tulane Women’s Tennis program,” Brito added. “I truly believe that Tulane has something very special and I can’t wait to get started. Roll Wave!”

 

 

Lipscomb Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson announced on Tuesday that Geoff Hernandez will be replacing his brother Mario as the new men’s head coach. Geoff Hernandez, who played collegiately at Portland from 2008 to 2012, had been the assistant at Lipscomb the past three seasons. Mario Hernandez went 26-54 during his four-year tenure at Lipscomb and according to the release will be pursuing other opportunities. Below are some quotes from today’s release:

“Having worked with the team the last three years, I have gotten to know the Lipscomb culture,” Hernandez said. “For me to continue here and put my own stamp on this program, that’s the most exciting part. I’m ready to lead our guys to a higher level.”

“Geoff brings an enthusiasm for the game, for coaching and for developing young people that was evident as soon as the interviews started,” Hutcheson said. “He’s passionate and knowledgeable about the game, but he also showed a real interest in helping our Lipscomb tennis program grow within our campus community and in middle Tennessee as well.”

 

 

Virginia Director of Tennis/Men’s Head Coach Andres Pedroso announced the hiring of Scott Brown as the Cavaliers new men’s assistant. Brown was a volunteer assistant at Virginia from 2010 to 2015 and for the past two years had been the senior high performance coach at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland. More details are available in Virginia’s release. 

 

 

Columbia rising sophomore Jackie Tang won his opening round match late Monday night (in the US) at the Hong Kong F2 Futures in 4 hours and 22 minutes over fellow countrymen Ching Lam. Tang dropped the opening set 7-6(3) in 1 hour and 22 minutes but he bounced back and took the second set 7-6(6) in 1 hour and 46 minutes. In that second set, Lam served for the match up 5-4 but Tang broke back from 30/40. In the third and final set, Lam served for the match up 5-4 but Tang broke back in a one-deuce game, held from 40/15, and broke again in a one-deuce game to close it out. I’m not sure what the record is for a three-set match but this has to be up there.

Tang didn’t have much time to rest because he was back on court late Tuesday night for his second round match against Aussie Jacob Grills. Tang put up a good fight against Grills but fell 6-4, 6-0 in 1 hour and 40 minutes. 

 

 

North Carolina rising sophomore and NCAA singles runner-up William Blumberg and Mississippi State rising sophomore Giovanni Oradini each picked up their first ATP singles points on Tuesday. Blumberg fell behind Wil Spencer (Georgia ’12) 5-3 in the first set at the $25K USA F21 Futures in Tulsa but he rallied to win 10 of the next 12 games to take it 7-5, 6-2. Next up for Blumberg will be the winner of the Majed Kilani (Tulsa) and Alexander Brown (Illinois) match. 

Oradini knocked out the top seed Walter Trusendi (ATP 371) 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the $15K Italy F19 Futures in Basilcanova. Next up for Oradini is fellow qualifier Loic Perret (ATP 959).