Dec. 21, 2009
By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On Monday, UCF men's tennis head coach Bobby Cashman announced that one of the nation's premier junior players, Matthew Zachary of Bossier, La., has signed a grant-in-aid with the Knights. Zachary will join the program next fall.
According to tennisrecruiting.net, Zachary is a five-star recruit. He is ranked 68th nationally and is listed as the third-best player in Louisiana. Zachary has been ranked as high as 51st in the country.
In doubles play, Zachary has claimed several regional doubles titles with teammate Robbie Mudge. The pair is ranked third in the south according to the United States Tennis Association.
"Matt is a good singles and doubles player," Cashman said. "He has posted great singles results on the national level. He has also won some great doubles tournaments in the south. Matt has proven that he can play both singles and doubles on a high level. He has a complete game. Matt is someone who can make an immediate impact as a freshman in both singles and doubles."
In October, Zachary took the title at the Bullfrog Southern Designated event in Raleigh, N.C. He posted five wins at the tournament, including a victory in the title match over the nation's 26th-ranked junior.
As a junior at Airline High School, Zachary won the Louisiana Class 5A state singles title. In 2008, Zachary was the state runner-up.
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