SPOKANE, Wash.—The Gonzaga University men's tennis team signed four players to National Letters of Intent recently, adding to its roster for the 2015-16 season. Ruadhan De Bruges, Emilio Moreno, Ronzai Saurombe, and Jordan Smith will each join the Bulldogs starting in the fall.
"Signing these guys is a big win for this program," said Gonzaga head coach Peter MacDonald. "We believe these new guys have what it takes to help us continue to move forward as a program. Even after losing five seniors who have made a huge impact, the future looks bright for Gonzaga men's tennis."
Ruadhan De Bruges - Mount Colah, Australia
De Bruges is one of two Aussies in the incoming class and currently ranked among the top 100 male tennis players in the country. A native of Mount Colah in New South Wales, De Bruges won the state's high school championship in singles play during year nine while finishing second in the doubles tournament. De Bruges also has experience on the International Tennis Federation's Junior Tour as he's participated in a number of events, including the Oceania Open Junior Championships and the South Pacific Open Junior Championships last summer. He's posted a winning singles record on the international tour.
Why De Bruges chose Gonzaga: "I chose Gonzaga because of the good coaches whom I believe can help me improve not just as a player, but as an overall person. Gonzaga also has a good academic program which further enticed me to go there."
What De Bruges will bring to Gonzaga men's tennis: "I plan on bringing hard-work and a competitive nature to bring out the best out of everyone on the team."
Coach MacDonald on De Bruges: "Ruadhan has a big game and likes to finish at the net. He's been ranked top 100 of the Australians men's open ranking and comes in with a lot of great results. He's a great recruit for the Zags."
Emilio Moreno - Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Moreno has spent three years playing out of the Advantage Tennis Academy in Irvine, Calif. He's one of the 30 top recruits out of California and the southwestern United States, according to Head recruiting lists, and he's picked up a few victories in UTSA tournaments recently. Last summer, he prevailed in singles brackets at the Balboa Tennis Club Summer Junior Open and the La Jolla Junior Tennis Tournament, not dropping a set in either competition. He also reached the doubles final of the Anaheim Tennis Center Spring Open. Also, he's seen success on the international stage, reaching the semifinals of the Monterrey San Agustin ITF Junior Club in singles play and the finals of the Monterrey Contry ITF Junior Cup in doubles action.
Why Moreno chose Gonzaga: "I choose Gonzaga because it is just so unique and seems to have a very cohesive student environment. When I went on a visit to Gonzaga, the team, the coaches, compliance and the staff that works in this university made me felt like I was at home. The atmosphere of the school's other major sports programs was very inspiring."
What Moreno will bring to Gonzaga men's tennis: "I will bring a lot of team effort: to stay together, work together, win together, lose together, and always be there for each other. I will also bring a lot of energy, positivity, and a family environment to the team."
Coach MacDonald on Moreno: "Emilio has had a lot of success in the southern California tournaments. He's got a great game from the baseline and has some good pop on his serve! He's excited to be a Zag and is a great addition to the team."
Ronzai Saurombe - Mutare, Zimbabwe
Saurombe is transferring in as a junior from Seward County College, where he's put together a sterling junior college career. His first year at Seward County, Saurombe won the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Championship in doubles play, earning national Rookie of the Year honors from the ITA as well. He finished the year with a 25-5 record in singles play and 24-9 in doubles, playing atop both lineups for the Saints. This season he's gone 11-3 in dual play, leading the squad to its first ever regional title and a berth to the NJCAA National Tournament. He also picked up three bracket titles in the fall earlier this season. Academically, he's earned a spot on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll three times.
Why Saurombe chose Gonzaga: "I chose Gonzaga because it matched the qualities of an ideal school. It's a good size and a friendly community."
What Saurombe will bring to Gonzaga men's tennis: "I am bringing great leadership skills and a great work ethic. I am planning on keeping every player motivated and wanting to get better every day we step on the court. I'll get everybody to work together as a team to achieve the goals we will set."
Coach MacDonald on Saurombe: "Ronzai is going to be a great addition to the team. Not only has he killed it in the classroom, but he has had tremendous success on the court at Seward. This is a guy that loves the game and makes no excuses. He's going to add a new dimension of toughness to our team!"
Jordan Smith - Sydney, Australia
The other Australian in the Bulldogs' incoming class, Smith too has a New South Wales state title, winning the team title with his high school - Oakhill College Castle Hill - last season. He captained the team to the championship and has been a member of the varsity squad since year 7. In 2012, he earned a spot on the Australian Merit Team. Also like his fellow Australian signee, Smith has been ranked among the top 100 male tennis players in Australia. Outside of school tennis, he's also seen success as he's won five national titles: two singles and three doubles. The Sydney native has also seen quality performances in Opens and 18s brackets recently, winning the singles brackets at the Ballina New Year Open and Nepean Platinum Twilight.
Why Smith chose Gonzaga: "I chose Gonzaga as it feels like the right environment for me to improve as both a player and a person."
What Smith will bring to Gonzaga men's tennis: "I will bring a positive, hard-working attitude to the team. I'll be someone that people want to play with and be successful with."
Coach MacDonald on Smith: "We're excited to add Jordan to the roster. He's had a great junior career winning Australian national tournaments and reaching as high as No. 94 in the men's open national ranking. He comes from a tennis family that has a reputation for doing well in doubles."
For the most up-to-date information on Gonzaga men's tennis, check www.gozags.com or follow the team on social media at Facebook.com/ZagMTennis or with the Twitter handle @ZagMTennis.
