Huskies Add Five for 2019-20 Season
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech Head Coach Kevin Kalinec and the men's tennis program are pleased to announce the addition of five players to the roster for the 2019-20 season. Hayden Drury, Andrew Freel, Vitor Jordao, Arvind Kalyana, and Artem Sharkota will all be attending Michigan Tech and competing on the court as Huskies this coming season.
Drury, who hails from Big Bay, Michigan, prepped at Traverse City Central High School and is a graduate transfer from Northwood University. Drury accumulated more than 120 wins during his high school career, was a Big North All-Conference selection all four years, and an All-State Honoree for three seasons. Drury helped guide his team to conference championships in 2012, 13, 14, and 15. Drury is pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Michigan Tech.
Quote from Coach Kalinec: "Hayden will bring experience to a young team and will play in the middle to upper part of the line up in singles and doubles. His father was a high school and college coach and he is very sound fundamentally. His experience in the GLIAC will be an asset to us."
Freel is a native of Boksburg, South Africa and competed in high school at Christian Brother College Boksburg. Freel was one of the top competitors in South African Interprovincial Tennis, finishing in the top 10 of the National Interprovincial Tournament three times during his high school career, including a fifth place finish this past season. In 2015, he posted a national ranking of seventh for his age group and in 2017 was ranked in the low 20's for his age group nationally. Freel plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech.
Quote from Coach Kalinec: "Andrew has an aggressive style of play and likes to attack whenever possible. He will contribute to our team in all areas right away."
Jordao, who arrives at Tech from Recife, Brazil, prepped at Monteverde Academy where he competed in No. 5 singles during the district, regional, and state championships in 2017-18. He finished the campaign undefeated and helped lead the team to tournament victories in all competitions. Jordao elevated to No.2 singles and doubles in 2018-19 and made history by helping guide his team to a national championship. Jordao plans to major in Engineering Management at Michigan Tech.
Quote from Coach Kalinec: "Vitor has a very good all-around game with powerful groundstrokes. He is also a very good doubles player and will compete for a spot in the top of the lineup at both singles and doubles."
Kalyana is from Novi, Michigan where he competed at Northville High School. Kalyana played No. 2 singles, lettering all four years and claiming a conference championship in 2018. He was a regional champion in 2018 and state quarterfinalist in 2016 and 2018. Kalyana was a KLAA Scholar Athlete All-Conference selection in 2016 and 2018 while earning 2018 MHSAA All-State Honorable Mention accolades in No.2 singles following the 2016 season. He helped lead his team to a 2018 conference and regional championship along with a fourth place finish in the state tournament. Kalyana plans to major in Computer Engineering at Michigan Tech.
Quote from Coach Kalinec: "Arvind has good shot patterns in singles and positions himself well in doubles. He will add needed depth to the lineup in both singles and doubles."
Sharkota, who hails from Minsk, Belarus, competed at Ordena Trudovogo Krasnogo Znameni Gymnasium 50 during his high school career. He recorded a mark of 7.8 out of 10 in the rankings and plans to major in Management Information Systems at Michigan Tech.
Quote from Coach Kalinec: "Artem played on the Belarus National Team and has a solid baseline game along with a big forehand that he likes to approach behind."
For more information on the Michigan Tech men's tennis program click here.