Nov. 13, 2006
Atlanta – The Georgia Tech men’s tennis team signs two five-star recruits to their 2007-08 roster. Ryan Smith of Marietta, Ga. and Hampden, Maine’s Eliot Potvin will join the Yellow Jacket squad in the fall of 2007 and both will have an immediate impact at Tech.
Ryan Smith, a Marietta, Ga. native, ranks as the No. 2 tennis player in the state and holds the 44 spot in the national rankings, according to The Tennis Recruiting Network. Smith won the Peach State National Tournament in both 2003 and 2005, was named to the First Team All-County for Cobb County for three consecutive years, was the 2005 Atlanta-Journal Constitution Player of the Year, was ranked among the top ten in the nation in 2005 and took home the 2006 Sportsmanship award at the Junior Davis Cup. Smith, a senior at Lassiter High School, led his high school team to state championship in 2005. He holds an impressive 4.33 cumulative GPA and has been a Scholar Athlete all four years of high school.
“Ryan is a solid lefty that will help in both singles and doubles play right away,” said head men’s tennis coach Kenny Thorne. “He has great hands and a natural feel for the game. He will be very versatile in doubles because he serves, returns and volleys well, and he posses great instincts. Most importantly, Ryan is an incredible student and will be a great asset to the Georgia Tech community.”
Fellow recruit, Eliot Potvin sits atop the rankings in his home state of Maine, is ranked third in New England and is the No. 38 player in the nation. Potvin is heralded for his athleticism and was successful in three sports; hockey, soccer and tennis. He was captain of his high school’s tennis team and won Maine’s singles title both his sophomore and junior year. In the 16 and under group, Potvin earned a national ranking of 30 and won the consolation round at the Level Two National Open. Potvin finished third in the Level Two National Open in the 18 and under age group.
“Eliot is very athletic and talented, and has a strong all around game with an incredible amount of potential,” said Thorne. “He has become a top player in the U.S. with limited training opportunities.”
The Georgia Tech tennis program is looking forward to having these two exceptional athletes on campus in the fall. Both top-notch athletes will graduate in the top of their class adding to the Tech tennis program both on and off the court.
