April 27, 2009

PHOTOGALLERY

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State men's tennis team added depth to next season's roster today, signing Turkish standout Gianni Berk Kubin to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Owls beginning in the 2009-10 season in a statement released by Head Coach Brandon Padgett and the KSU Athletics Department on Monday.

Kubin, a standout on the Turkish Junior Circuit since an early age, will join Gokalp Ozdemir, also Turkish, as the first two members of the Owls second-ever recruiting class.

"We expect Gianni to make an impact in the doubles line-up immediately, and hope that he will bring a strong singles game to our team as well," said Padgett on his most recent signee. "He is the second player from Turkey to commit to KSU, and we are excited about the connection."

The 18-year-old from Ankara has extensive experience competing internationally on the ITF Circuit, where he is currently ranked No. 1570 in the world. He has won multiple doubles titles and has been a runner-up in singles a number of times during his junior career on the ITF, gaining a ranking as high as No. 1 in Turkish juniors.

He is currently ranked No. 6 on the U-18 circuit in Turkey, and is in the top ten at the senior level. Kubin has also represented his school in the Turkish Schools Championships, leading his team to the title in 2007 and a runner-up finish and a region title this season. His 2007 team also advanced to the World Cup semi-finals.

Kubin has been playing tennis internationally since he was 12, competing across Europe in countries such as Norway, Greece, and Bosnia-Herzegova. He has spent the last three seasons representing his club team from the Ankara Tennis Club on the Turkish national circuit, leading them to a No. 2 finish last year.

"We are excited about the players that have committed to KSU for next season," added Padgett. "And we expect to make enormous strides in the conference in our second season of competition."

The addition of Kubin and Ozdemir to the already deep Owls lineup should put the team in good shape heading into the 2009-10 campaign. The team looked solid in its inaugural season, winning seven spring matches, including two victories over opponents from the Atlantic Sun Conference.