Men's Tennis Signs Four
7/24/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Nov. 15, 1999
WACO, Texas - The Baylor men's tennis team announced the signing of four student-athletes to national letters of intent on Monday. To be added to the team's international flair are Zoltan Papp of Hungary and Jeroen Masson of South Africa, as well as Chip Webb from Tennessee and Cory Ross from Colorado.
Papp chose Baylor over UCLA, Pepperdine, South Carolina, and Florida. While living in Budapest, Hungary, he has served as a member of the Hungarian Davis Cup team as well as playing in the Junior Wimbledon, French, and U.S. Opens. Papp is ranked among the top 100 junior players in the world, and will join the Baylor team in January 2000.
"Zoltan will make an immediate impact on the program this January," head coach Matt Knoll said. "He has a great deal of experience playing on the international level, and he brings a lot of maturity for a freshman."
Masson comes to Baylor from Waterkloof High School in Pretoria, South Africa, the same high school as current Baylor star Johann Jooste. He has won ITF tournaments in Kenya and South Africa.
"Masson is a blue chipper who we've been recruiting for a very long time," Knoll said. "We think the sky's the limit regarding his potential impact on our program, and I'm excited to be able to work with him the next four years."
Webb, a high school senior from Chattanooga, Tenn., is ranked among the top 20 high school seniors in the nation. He has spent time at the Tough Tennis Academy in Naples, Fla., and chose Baylor over Georgia, Florida, Virginia Tech, and Alabama.
"We have been recruiting Webb since the Easter Bowl. We felt like he was a primetime American recruit and a great fit for the personality of our program," Knoll said.
Ross won the Colorado state singles championship playing for Kent Denver High School in Littleton, Colo. He led the team to the state 4A team tennis championship, and is ranked among the top 40 high school seniors in the United States. Ross chose Baylor over Notre Dame, Washington, and San Diego.
"Ross is an exceptional student. He comes from a part of the country where there are not a lot of chances to play due to altitude and weather. We think he's got a chance to blossom into an outstanding college player."
