Men’s Tennis signs two Blue Chip prospects for 2017-18
Thursday, November 9, 2017 | Men's Tennis
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida men's tennis team has received National Letters of Intent from Sam Riffice and Lukas Greif in the early signing period, as announced by head coach Bryan Shelton on Thursday. Riffice and Greif will join the Gators for the 2018-19 season.
The 2018-19 signing class will challenge to be the top rated class in the country with both Riffice and Grief being 5-star Blue Chip recruits and being ranked inside the top 10 nationally. The Gators are one of only three schools, joining Harvard and Princeton, in signing at least two blue chip recruits in this class.
"Our staff and players are ecstatic about this incoming class. Both Lukas and Sam embody all the values we hold dear. Tanner Stump has done a great job throughout this recruiting process as has our entire support staff and players," head coach Bryan Shelton said. "We continue to bring high character guys who have the ability to play at the highest level. We will do everything in our power to help these guys reach their individual goals and together we will accomplish things we have never accomplished here before"
Sam Riffice | 6-2 | Right-Handed | Roseville, Calif.
Juniors Notes
Coach Shelton on Sam
"We could not be more excited to sign Sam Riffice to the class of 2018. Sam is a very special talent and he will make a huge impact on our program. Sam is one of the very best all-around players his age and he is going to keep getting better because he also has a strong work ethic and he is a team player. Our staff is going to have a lot of fun working with Sam."
Lukas Greif | 5-9 | Right-Handed | Newburgh, Ind.
Juniors Notes
Coach Shelton on Lukas
"The Gators got a lot better when Lukas Greif signed with our program. Lukas has the total package. He is a phenomenal young man, and he is also one heck of a student and tennis player. We hit the jackpot with this signing and I can't wait to see his development over the upcoming seasons."
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The 2018-19 signing class will challenge to be the top rated class in the country with both Riffice and Grief being 5-star Blue Chip recruits and being ranked inside the top 10 nationally. The Gators are one of only three schools, joining Harvard and Princeton, in signing at least two blue chip recruits in this class.
"Our staff and players are ecstatic about this incoming class. Both Lukas and Sam embody all the values we hold dear. Tanner Stump has done a great job throughout this recruiting process as has our entire support staff and players," head coach Bryan Shelton said. "We continue to bring high character guys who have the ability to play at the highest level. We will do everything in our power to help these guys reach their individual goals and together we will accomplish things we have never accomplished here before"
Sam Riffice | 6-2 | Right-Handed | Roseville, Calif.
Juniors Notes
- Riffice is a 5-star Blue Chip recruit
- No. 2 overall recruit in the country but was ranked as high as No. 1
- No. 1 recruit out of the state of California
- No. 1 recruit in the Southwest Region
- Ranked No. 18 by the International Tennis Federation
- Competed in the Junior Grand Slam Championships at Wimbledon, French Open and the US Open
- 29-13 overall record with a 10-3 record against other Blue Chip recruits
- Ranked 756 on ATP World Tour
- Won the International Orange Bowl 16s
- Nike Junior International Roehampton ITF Singles Finalist
- Grade 1 Romania F1 Futures Finalist
- USA F15 Futures Finalist
Coach Shelton on Sam
"We could not be more excited to sign Sam Riffice to the class of 2018. Sam is a very special talent and he will make a huge impact on our program. Sam is one of the very best all-around players his age and he is going to keep getting better because he also has a strong work ethic and he is a team player. Our staff is going to have a lot of fun working with Sam."
Lukas Greif | 5-9 | Right-Handed | Newburgh, Ind.
Juniors Notes
- Greif is a 5-star Blue Chip recruit
- No. 6 overall recruit in the country but was ranked as high as No. 1
- No. 1 recruit out of the state of Indiana
- No. 1 recruit in the Great Lakes Region
- Ranked No. 63 by the International Tennis Federation
- 22-13 overall and 5-1 against other Blue Chip recruits
- Competed in the Junior Grand Slam Championships at Wimbledon, French Open and the US Open
- 2016 Kalamazoo 16s Champion
- Ranked 1825 on ATP World Tour
- Pan American ITF Singles Finalist
- Grade B1 Doubles Champion
- Coached by Stephanie Hazlett and Bryan Smith
Coach Shelton on Lukas
"The Gators got a lot better when Lukas Greif signed with our program. Lukas has the total package. He is a phenomenal young man, and he is also one heck of a student and tennis player. We hit the jackpot with this signing and I can't wait to see his development over the upcoming seasons."
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JOIN THE CONVERSATION: #GoGators
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