VCU MEN’S TENNIS

Jeu, set et match.

This declaration of victory is now common at VCU’s Thalhimer Tennis Center thanks to the recruiting efforts of VCU tennis coaches.

After talking with a recruiter who was familiar with VCU, senior Alex Israel transferred from Marseille, France, as a sophomore. Israel said he transferred here to study business-marketing and to play tennis after the recruiter suggested VCU was one of his best options.

“I never really considered anywhere else,” Israel said. “I already had friends here, and I wanted the chance to study and play tennis.”

Assistant coach Romain Ambert took over responsibilities as men’s tennis coach this year. Ambert said head coach Paul Kostin’s background is one reason VCU continues to get the attention of prospective players.

“Coach Kostin is Swedish, and so he has a lot of European connections,” Ambert said.

A native of Toulouse, France, Ambert also is involved in the recruiting process. Ambert said he talks to players and parents in France during the summer.”I talk to them about how American colleges work,” Ambert said. “Players come here for the opportunity to play good tennis and get an education.”

The current men’s tennis roster is made up of one American walk-on player and five scholarship players, one from Sweden and four from France. Ambert said he hopes to fill an eight-man roster by the spring.

VCU scholarship coordinator Kate Tucker said the university has awarded more than 170 athletic scholarships this year. Five of the men’s tennis players have percentage scholarships, awarding them 80 percent of in-state tuition each semester.

The men’s tennis team is preparing for a run at 17 consecutive winning seasons under Kostin. Kostin has guided the men’s tennis team to a winning season each year since arriving at VCU, racking up 13 conference championships and 14 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.