Spring 2016 Coaches Report Dear Friends of Yale Tennis, As the school year has drawn to a close, we wanted to take this opportunity to pay tribute our graduating seniors and those players who received special recognition awards. We also wanted to update you on the work of the Yale Tennis Association. We held our annual meeting at the Yale Club of New York and spent a wonderful evening honoring the women of the 1980 and 1981 teams. If you were unable to join us, we hope you can make it next year for this annual event which brings Yale tennis players from every generation back together. As we look forward, we hope you will save the date below and plan to join us for the Second Annual Yale Tennis Mentoring Weekend. Last year’s inaugural program was a great experience for both players and alumni. We thank you for the many ways you support Yale Tennis and ask that you please consider making a gift to Yale Tennis before June 30th. We ar e still shy of our over all fundr aising goal and each gift helps. You can do so by vising giving.yale.edu, by mailing a check payable to Yale University with YTA in the memo to P.O. Box 1844 New Haven, CT 06508-1844, or via phone by calling (203) 432-1434. Go Bulldogs!
Save the Date Yale Tennis Mentoring Weekend Friday Evening September 9th Saturday Morning September 10th New Haven, CT
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MEN’S TEAM UPDATE The men’s team graduated two remarkable student-athletes, Jason Brown (Deerfield, IL) and Martin Svenning (Malmo, Sweden). Together, Jason and Martin created an exceptional team dynamic through promoting the team’s core values of personal integrity, mutual respect, outstanding sportsmanship, fierce determination, and unyielding grit. Off the court both players were active in community service. In particular, they participated in fund raisers for New HYTEs (New Haven Youth Tennis & Education) and served as mentors, tutors, and tennis instructors for the New HYTEs afterschool program for inner-city youths. Jason, this year’s captain, was finally able to compete in the starting line-up for the Bulldogs after being side-lined by injuries since the spring of his freshman year. Jason played in the #3 double slot with junior Alex Hagermoser. Martin was a four-year starter in both singles and doubles. He spent most of his career in the #2 through #4 singles position, and played in all three doubles slots. Over his career Martin won 63 singles and 62 doubles matches for the Elis. The seniors also excelled in the classroom. Martin and Jason are both 4-year ITA Scholar-Athlete Award winners (year-end GPA of 3.5+). Jason was also honored during the Athletic Department’s graduation reception by receiving the DeLaney Kiphuth ’41 M.A. ’47 Student-Athlete Distinction Award (Awarded annually to both the male and female student-athlete of the Yale Senior Class who rank highest in scholarship and have earned two varsity awards prior to their senior year). Jason became the third men’s tennis player to achieve this award (David Beynet in 1999 and Andrew Rosenfeld in 2004). We wish the seniors the best of luck as they embark on their professional careers. Jason will working at Goldman Sachs in investment banking in New York City, and Martin will be working at CBRE Clarion Securities in Philadelphia as a securities analyst.
WOMEN’S TEAM UPDATE The women’s team graduated three phenomenal student-athletes this year: captain Reeree Li (Waxham, N.C.), Madeleine Hamilton (Greensboro, N.C.), and Courtney Amos (Tucson, Ariz.). This was the first class in quite some time that started playing together their freshmen year and continued to play for YWT through graduation. Their freshman year they were part of the team that took home the Ivy League title, each of them contributing to the success of the team. They followed the mission statement of the women’s team and Yale University both on and off the court. These women always lead the team by example and were proud to represent the Bulldog family. They were also active in community service. In particular, they participated in fundraisers for New HYTEs (New Haven Youth Tennis & Education) and served as mentors, tutors, and tennis instructors for the New HYTEs afterschool program for inner-city youths. Reeree Li, this year’s captain, has been in the starting lineup for YWT since her sophomore year. Her freshman year she was unfortunately sidelined due to hip surgery, but remained a supportive member of the team. Through her career with YWT Reeree played doubles in position #1 and #2. Her sophomore year Reeree was paired with Madeleine Hamilton and the duo received an end of season national doubles ranking of #74. Junior year Reeree reached the final of the northeast regional championships in doubles with partner Hanna Yu. ReeRee won 42 singles and 50 doubles matches for the bulldogs in her career with YWT. Reeree was also asked to be student speaker at the end of year Athletic Department graduation reception. This was a big honor that showed how much Reeree was respected and liked amongst the Yale Athletic Department. Madeleine Hamilton was in the starting lineup for all 4 of her years with YWT playing at position #1 and #2 in singles and #1 in doubles for the Bulldogs. Despite being affected by many injuries through all 4 years, Madeleine showed spirit and leadership and extraordinary fight on the court. Over the course of her 4 years with YWT, Madeleine won 57 singles and 80 doubles matches. Madeleine is probably one of the strongest players ever to have played for YWT. She had all of these incredible accomplishments on court while studying molecular, cellular and developmental biology – one of the most difficult majors at Yale! Courtney Amos was another outstanding tennis player and student athlete who represented the Bulldogs. Courtney spent most of her career playing from #4 to #6 in singles and #3 doubles. Courtney won 43 singles matches for the Bulldogs. Courtney was unfortunately sidelined with a shoulder injury in the fall of her senior year, but came back stronger than ever and clinched several dual matches for YWT including YWT’s first ever win over ranked #54 Rice University. We wish the seniors best of luck in their professional lives. Reeree will head to the west coast to work for Google. Courtney will work for UBS in investment banking in New York City and Madeleine will be working in a research lab in New Haven while applying to Medical Schools.
Special Recognition Awards Awarded to that member of the women’s tennis team who, in the opinion of the coach, has shown the most improvement. 2016 Recipient: Sonal Shrivastava
Awarded to that member of the varsity team who, during the year by sportsmanship and cooperative spirit, has done the most for tennis at Yale. 2106 Recipient: Jason Brown ‘16
Awarded to the player who, in the opinion of her team members, has contributed the most to the team. 2016 Recipient: Tina Jiang
Awarded to a special person who has contributed much more than tennis, and whose presence was vital to the spirit of the women’s tennis team. 2016 Recipient: Sunday Swett
Awarded to the member of the tennis team who has shown the greatest improvement during the year. 2016 Recipients: Alex Hagermoser ’17 &
Given to that player who exhibits the qualities of enthusiasm, perseverance, and team spirit. 2016 Recipient: Martin Svenning ‘16
Fedor Andrienko ‘18