July 11, 2006

Grand Valley State's men's tennis coach John Black announced the signing of six student-athletes to attend and play tennis for the Lakers. Ryan Diebold (Allegan, Mich.), Matt Globerson (Ann Arbor, Mich.), Michael "Brock" Plangger (St. Joseph's, Mich.), Patrick Troy (Beverly Hills, Mich.), Patryk Polus (Ottawa, Canada), and Tony Dang (Ontario, Canada) will all join the squad for the 2006-07 season.

Dang, a graduate of the Niagra Academy of Tennis in Vineland, Ontario, has been ranked as high as #6 in Ontario and #39 nationally. He has competed in the Canadian National Championships several times. Tony graduated with honors and plans to major in either Psychology or Pre-law.

Diebold, an Allegan High School graduate, was a four-year starter under head coach Gary Ellis. He finished his high school career with a record of 84-34. Ryan was selected to the all-state honorable mention team once and was a two-time all-state first team honoree. Diebold has been ranked in the top 15 of Western Michigan and in the top 250 in the Midwest section of the USTA. A four-year honor roll student, Diebold will major in Statistics.

Globerson, a graduate of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, was a four-year starter under head coach Tom Pullen. He finished his high school career with a record of 135-0 and was a four-time state champion. Matt was a four-time all-conference honoree and earned all-state plaudits three times. He has been ranked in the top 30 in SEMTA and in the top 250 in the Midwest section of the USTA. Globerson will be a Pre-Med major at Grand Valley State.

Plangger, a Stevensville Lakeshore High School graduate, played #1 singled under head coach Sean Schroeder. He finished his high school career with a record of 81-17 and was a first team all-state honoree. Brock has been ranked in the top 10 in Western Michigan and in the top 75 in the Midwest section of the USTA. Plangger will major in Business.

Polus, a graduate of the Niagra Academy of Tennis in Vineland, Ontario, has been ranked as high as #4 in Ontario and #29 nationally. He compiled a career record of 49-16. He has worked extensively with Dale Power and Mario Arce. Polus will be a Business major.

Troy, a graduate of Birmingham Brother Rice, was a four-year starter under coach Grant Asher. He finished his high school career with a record of 70-13 and was a two-time state champion. Troy was a two-time all-state first team honoree and was ranked in the top 75 in the Midwest section of the USTA. He has been a recipient of the SEMTA HOXIE award for outstanding sportsmanship and also received the Catholic League Operation Friendship award. Over the past four years, he has received all-academic and scholar athlete honors. At Grand Valley, he will be a Pre-Health major.

"This group of talented freshmen is the deepest class I have had here at Grand Valley," said coach John Black. "All six of them are extremely solid tennis players that will have the opportunity to make an impact in their first year with the team."

"I strongly believe that this group of young men has the ability to keep us in contention for a spot at the top of the GLIAC and to compete at Nationals."