Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Keith Kountz
'Dogs welcome six newcomers for 2021 season
10/1/2020 4:57:00 PM | Men's Tennis
FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State head men's tennis coach Luke Shields had a busy year on the recruiting trail as there will be six new faces on the Bulldogs' roster for the 2021 season. The group will join five returners, including three who opted to come back after having last year's spring campaign cut short.
"This is a very strong class that has the future of Bulldog tennis looking extremely bright," Shields said. "We have a mix of great local and international student-athletes. They will be fantastic examples for the community."
Diego Castillo
La Quinta, Calif. | California Connections Academy
Castillo is a three-star recruit out of Southern California.
From Coach Shields… "Diego is a three-star American who is very ambitious and will bring a lot of character to the team."
Cody Castro
Fresno, Calif. | Clovis West HS | Ventura College
Castro was a three-time first team All-TRAC selection and three-time team captain for Clovis West before going to Ventura College last season. In 2017, he reached the CIF doubles final and qualified for the singles quarterfinals during his junior and senior seasons.
From Coach Shields… "Cody is a local talent with both of his parents being legendary Bulldogs. Cody played multiple sports growing up and is very athletic on the court."
Karl Collins
Richmond, Calif. | El Cerrito HS
Collins is one of the top players in talent-rich California. The No. 1 recruit in Northern California in singles and doubles, he saw his national junior ranking reach as high as No. 54. Undefeated In high school competition, he won back-to-back CIF-North Coast Section singles championships in 2018 and 2019.
From Coach Shields… "Karl is a five-star recruit who is the highest American recruit we've landed in over eight years. His character is really what stood out while recruiting him. He has a lot of potential because of his attitude."
Reece Falck
New Zealand
Falck is New Zealand's No. 1 ranked juniors player and has been as high as No. 151 in the ITF juniors rankings. He has won New Zealand junior championship titles in 16s singles and 18s doubles.
From Coach Shields… "Reece has a very high ceiling with his tennis game and we are looking forward to him reaching those heights here."
Dario Huber
Brittnau, Switzerland | University of Indianapolis
In his first two seasons at UIndy, Huber compiled a 44-8 singles record at the No. 2 spot, and helped the Greyhounds to another Sweet 16 appearance after they reached the national semifinals during his freshman campaign. Huber was the No. 3 ranked junior in Switzerland and was a doubles finalist at the U18 Swiss championships.
From Coach Shields… "Dario is a transfer who will bring a lot of experience. He is an ITA Cup National Champion in doubles, a tournament that includes every DII and NAIA team in the country. Dario's UTR is a 12.7 which already puts him as the fourth-best player in our conference based on the ranking."
Aleksandr Myagkov
Sergiev Posad, Russia | Sergiev Posad Gymnasium
Myagkov was a four-time Russian junior champion. In January, the Russian junior national team member earned his highest ITF junior ranking at 122.
From Coach Shields… "Aleksandr is a great talent and delightful person. He has won four ITF tournaments and reached a 122 international junior ranking."
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateMTEN
Instagram: @fresnostatemtennis
"This is a very strong class that has the future of Bulldog tennis looking extremely bright," Shields said. "We have a mix of great local and international student-athletes. They will be fantastic examples for the community."
Diego Castillo
La Quinta, Calif. | California Connections Academy
Castillo is a three-star recruit out of Southern California.
From Coach Shields… "Diego is a three-star American who is very ambitious and will bring a lot of character to the team."
Cody Castro
Fresno, Calif. | Clovis West HS | Ventura College
Castro was a three-time first team All-TRAC selection and three-time team captain for Clovis West before going to Ventura College last season. In 2017, he reached the CIF doubles final and qualified for the singles quarterfinals during his junior and senior seasons.
From Coach Shields… "Cody is a local talent with both of his parents being legendary Bulldogs. Cody played multiple sports growing up and is very athletic on the court."
Karl Collins
Richmond, Calif. | El Cerrito HS
Collins is one of the top players in talent-rich California. The No. 1 recruit in Northern California in singles and doubles, he saw his national junior ranking reach as high as No. 54. Undefeated In high school competition, he won back-to-back CIF-North Coast Section singles championships in 2018 and 2019.
From Coach Shields… "Karl is a five-star recruit who is the highest American recruit we've landed in over eight years. His character is really what stood out while recruiting him. He has a lot of potential because of his attitude."
Reece Falck
New Zealand
Falck is New Zealand's No. 1 ranked juniors player and has been as high as No. 151 in the ITF juniors rankings. He has won New Zealand junior championship titles in 16s singles and 18s doubles.
From Coach Shields… "Reece has a very high ceiling with his tennis game and we are looking forward to him reaching those heights here."
Dario Huber
Brittnau, Switzerland | University of Indianapolis
In his first two seasons at UIndy, Huber compiled a 44-8 singles record at the No. 2 spot, and helped the Greyhounds to another Sweet 16 appearance after they reached the national semifinals during his freshman campaign. Huber was the No. 3 ranked junior in Switzerland and was a doubles finalist at the U18 Swiss championships.
From Coach Shields… "Dario is a transfer who will bring a lot of experience. He is an ITA Cup National Champion in doubles, a tournament that includes every DII and NAIA team in the country. Dario's UTR is a 12.7 which already puts him as the fourth-best player in our conference based on the ranking."
Aleksandr Myagkov
Sergiev Posad, Russia | Sergiev Posad Gymnasium
Myagkov was a four-time Russian junior champion. In January, the Russian junior national team member earned his highest ITF junior ranking at 122.
From Coach Shields… "Aleksandr is a great talent and delightful person. He has won four ITF tournaments and reached a 122 international junior ranking."
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateMTEN
Instagram: @fresnostatemtennis
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