Florida Tech Men’s Tennis Adds Six To 2015 Recruiting Class

By  //  July 2, 2015

Florida-Tech-Tennis-580-2
On Thursday, Florida Tech head men’s tennis coach Bill Macom announced the addition of six players to the 2015 Panther recruiting class. (FIT Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – On Thursday, Florida Tech head men’s tennis coach Bill Macom announced the addition of six players to the 2015 Panther recruiting class.

The additions come from all over the globe, sprawling from the Sunshine State up north to Canada and across the pond to England, Spain and Greece.

Gerard Carpinell, Jack ‘JJ’ Clark, Tjimon Louisy, Foresight Okungbowa, Silviu Solomon and Kleanthis Zisis Tegos will join the FIT tennis program for the fall 2015 season.

Bill Macom
Bill Macom

“These guys all love the game of tennis and want to bring their games to another level and train hard,” said Bill Macom.

“I believe they will have a big impact on the lineup and will compete for starting positions.”

Gerard Carpinell
5-11, 165
University of Illinois at Springfield (Granollers, Spain)

Gerard Carpinell
Gerard Carpinell

Playing one season at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Gerard Carpinell posted a 10-7 singles record playing in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots.

Carpinell also went 8-9 in doubles for the Stars. He defeated the No. 27 player in the country in Northwest Missouri State’s Romain Boissinot. Carpinell played at the high school level for Escola Pia Granollers and also at the club level for Escola Tennis Mataro.

What Coach Macom is saying: “Gerard is a solid Left handed baseliner who brings experience playing at the top of the lineup.”

JJ Clark
6-1, 165
Aylesbury Grammar School (Slapton, England)

JJ Clark
JJ Clark

A five year player on Aylesbury Grammar School’s first team, JJ Clark has been ranked as high as first at the U18 level in Buckinghamshire and 99th overall in England.

He helped AGS to five consecutive National School Championship Finals appearances, achieving a highest national ranking of 12th. Clark also competed for Halton Tennis Centre at the club level.

What Coach Macom is saying: “JJ is a solid doubles player with a good net game.”

Tjimon Louisy
6-4, 155
Robert Bateman HS (Castries, Saint Lucia)

Tjimon Louisy
Tjimon Louisy

A native of Caribbean island nation Saint Lucia, Tjimon Louisy competed at the high school level for Robert Bateman High School in Ontario, Canada.

While still in the Caribbean, Louisy won four consecutive doubles titles in Confederacio de Tenis de Centroamerica y el Caribe (COTECC) tournaments. He also achieved a top 10 spot in the COTECC rankings. He currently trains at the Ace Tennis Academy in Burlington, Ontario.

What Coach Macom is saying: “Tjimon is tall and has tremendous reach and a good all court game.”

Foresight Okungbowa
5-9, 138
Wiregrass Ranch HS (Wesley Chapel, Fla.)

Foresight Okungbowa
Foresight Okungbowa

A four year letterwinner at Wiregrass Ranch High School, Foresight Okungbowa registered a record of 65-6 during his high school career, setting a school record for aces in a single match with 43.

Okungbowa led his team to four district tiles, three regional championships, a pair of state titles and a national championship. He was named the team MVP in 2011 and 2012.

What Coach Macom is saying: “Foresight is extremely fast on the court and can keep a rally going.”

Silviu Solomon
6-0, 160
College Regina Assumpta (Laval, Canada)

Silviu Solomon
Silviu Solomon

Competing for College Regina Assumpta, Silviu Solomon has been ranked as high as No. 15 in Quebec for players 16 years and younger.

Over the last year, Solomon has finished runner up in six provincial tournaments. At the club level, he has played for six years with Tennis Montreal, helping lead the team to 2014 CDT Inter-Club Championships in multiple categories.

What Coach Macom is saying: “Silviu is a very hard worker with an all court game.”

Kleanthis Zisis Tegos
6-3, 165
German School of Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki, Greece)

Kleanthis Zisis Tegos
Kleanthis Zisis Tegos

The brother of current FIT women’s tennis player Flavia Zisi Tegou, Kleanthis Zisis Tegos competed for the German School of Thessaloniki, earning National Academic Performance Awards in 10th, 11th and 12th grade.

Additionally, Zisis Tegos has played for the past 12 years at the club level with the Tennis Club of Thessaloniki.

What Coach Macom is saying: “Kleanthis hits a very heavy ball and has a tremendous serve.”