UVa tennis inks another strong class

Every year Virginia coach Brian Boland seems to bring in an even better recruiting class than the year before. After recent groups that have included Jarmere Jenkins, Alex Domijan and Mitchell Frank, you wouldn’t think it be possible for Boland to continue that trend.

However, Boland is calling this year’s class the “most complete” of his tenure.

On Monday Boland announced that Mac Styslinger, Ryan Shane, Harrison Richmond and Mitchell Polnet had signed their National Letters of Intent.

“I’m really excited about the potential that these young men have,” Boland said, “and not just on the court, but in the classroom.”

All four players are considered Top-30-in-the-country talents.

Styslinger, a Birmingham, Ala. native who is ranked No. 2 by Tennis Recruiting Network, is the highest rated. He made it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open juniors and was a semifinalist at the U.S. Under-18 Nationals in Kalamazoo, Mich. Styslinger chose Virginia over USC, Georgia and Duke.

“He’s a big strong kid with a big serve and a big forehand,” Boland said. “Max has been coached well and is an extremely hard worker. He’ll have an immediate impact in our program.”

Shane’s older brother, Justin, is a current member of the Virginia team. The Falls Church, Va. native picked the Wahoos over UNC, Northwestern and Virginia Tech.

“He has as much upside as anybody in the class on a national level,” Boland said. “He’s got a big serve, forehand and is extremely athletic.

“I think Ryan has only touched the surface for how much he can develop and improve over the course of his college career.”

Richmond, a left-hander from South Carolina, won the Orange Bowl as a high school junior. He selected UVa over Georgia, Duke and Texas.

“He has a tremendous amount of experience playing nationally and internationally,” Boland said. “I think he has tremendous upside and I believe bringing a lefty into the program is invaluable.”

Boland calls Polnet, who hails from Churchville, Pa., an extremely effective counter-puncher. 

“He’s had excellent results playing professional events as an amateur,” Boland said. “He’s working hard to become more of a complete player. He’s good defensively but has to work at getting stronger and finishing points and becoming more aggressive, which I know he will since he’s so passionate.”

Boland, who already has, arguably, the best 1-2-3 punch in the nation in Jenkins, Domijan and Frank, may not be done with his recruiting. Virginia could add one or two more players before the end of the signing period.