ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF Director of Tennis John Roddick has announced the addition of three transfers to the men's roster. Alabama transfers Korey Lovett and Danny Kerznerman will join the Knights this fall along with Virginia transfer Harrison Richmond.
"With being able to add three high-caliber transfers like Korey [Lovett], Danny [Kerznerman] and Harrison [Richmond], I think it says a lot about our program and the direction it's headed," said UCF Director of Tennis John Roddick. "All three of them are very talented players and will play big roles for us this season."
Lovett joins the Knights following a sophomore campaign in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he qualified for the NCAA Individual Championships in doubles. The Brevard, North Carolina, native played primarily at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles for the Crimson Tide the last two seasons. He finished the 2016 season ranked sixth nationally in doubles and 80th in singles with three victories over nationally ranked players. Following Lovett's freshman season, he was tabbed the ITA Southern Region Rookie of the Year, listed on the SEC All-Freshman Team and voted Alabama's Most Valuable Player.
"Korey is going to be a great addition for us," said Roddick. "He was a really good [USTA] Junior player in the United States and has the experience of playing at the top of the lineup for an SEC program. He will get a lot of opportunities to play some [USTA] Pro Circuit events while he is here, which was one of the big draws with him coming here."
Kerznerman also makes his way to Orlando from Alabama, where he has floated between No. 3 and No. 6 in singles his first two collegiate seasons. Through his sophomore year, he has compiled 19 wins in singles, including two victories against nationally ranked opponents, and six doubles victories. The Brooklyn, New York, native was a part of the USTA developmental system, living in Boca Raton, Florida, from ages 13-16 and was ranked No. 2 recruit in the nation coming out of high school.
"I recruited Danny while I was at Oklahoma, so I have seen him play a lot through his [USTA] Junior career," Roddick said. "Coming out of high school, he was arguably the nation's top recruit. We expect him to come in here and work hard, and I have full confidence that he will do really well for us."
Richmond comes to UCF as a redshirt senior following a prolific career at Virginia, where he was a part of three NCAA Team Championships. During his tenure as a Cavalier, he ranked as high as No. 52 nationally in singles and No. 7 in doubles. Richmond played primarily No. 5 and No. 6 in singles for UVa, who won the 2013, 2015 and 2016 NCAA Team Championships. In 2012, Richmond won the USTA/ITA Atlantic Regional Championship. The Pawleys Island, South Carolina, native was a two-time high school All-American, completing his prep career undefeated and leading Waccamaw High School to five state championships.
"Harrison is going to be a big leader on our team next season," said Roddick. "He won the Atlantic Regional Championship in singles his freshman year, so I know he can play at a high level. At Virginia, he was a part of three NCAA Team Championships, where he was continuously fighting for a spot in their singles lineup. I think he is really looking forward to coming here for his last year of eligibility and being a part of what we are building."
RODDICK NAMED DIRECTOR OF TENNIS
John Roddick was named the Knights' Director of Tennis on May 29, having oversight of both men's and women's tennis programs.
Roddick is one of the most successful collegiate tennis coaches in the nation, having led Oklahoma to three consecutive NCAA Division I runner-up finishes. He was named the ITA National Coach of the Year in 2014 and has also earned two ITA Central Region Coach of the Year awards and four Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year honors.
