July 27, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University men's tennis team added five players to its 2007-08 roster Friday as head coach Kemper Baker announced the signing of Carl Abalos, Jordan Delass, Oliver Reynolds, Ryan Shidler and Adam Witcher to national letters-of-intent.

All five incoming players possess impressive credentials and will begin practicing with the team in the fall. The newcomers will further bolster a Samford squad that finished the 2007 dual-match season with a 15-9 overall record and an impressive 10-3 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play.

Abalos, a native of Woodstock, Ga., was the No. 7-ranked player in the South. He recently won the Southern Spring Closed Championships held in Mobile and led Etowah High School to the regional finals as the team's No. 1 singles player.

Delass transferred to Samford from Georgia Tech where he played the No. 2 and No. 4 singles positions for the Yellow Jackets. Last season, he won the 2006 ITA Summer Championship title by defeating LSU's Danny Bryan in the final.

A native of Marietta, Ga., Delass was the No. 1-ranked player in Georgia, the No. 1-ranked player in the South and the ninth-ranked player in the nation by the USTA in the Boys' 18s.

Reynolds, a native of McDonough, Ga., was the 28th-ranked player in the South and led Woodward Academy to the 4A State Championship title in both 2006 and 2007. He served as his high school's team captain and was also the No. 1 singles player.

Shidler signed with Samford after completing his prep career at the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy in Mason, Ohio. He recently won the Ohio State doubles championship while competing with playing partner Steven Havens.

Shidler received the Sportsmanship award from the Ohio Valley Tennis Association and was the No. 11-ranked player in Ohio.

Witcher, who signed with the Bulldogs during the early signing period, is a native of Cullman and finished his senior season with an unblemished 23-0 record. He won the championship title in the 2006 Alabama 5A State singles tournament and was recently awarded with Samford's prestigious Presidential scholarship.

Samford's newest members of the men's tennis team are currently enrolled in classes and will begin competition in the fall.