Aztec Due from France
The Aztecs plan to welcome three new players per squad beginning this fall after an active recruiting season.
The men’s team loses only one player but he could be difficult to replace: Captain and Number One singles player Sander Gjoles-Andersen of Denmark, who won 2019 All Mountain West honors in both singles and doubles.
Looking ahead, Aztec men’s coach Gene Carswell identified his three newest recruits for 2019-20:
“Aaro Pollanen, a transfer from University of Arizona will make an immediate impact,” he said.
“Daniel Traxler split time between Texas and California High Schools, graduating from El Camino High School in Oceanside,” Carswell said. “He has great potential to be an excellent Division One player.”
Julien (Jules) Auffray of France is the third men’s recruit. “Jules is moving rapidly up the rankings in his country,” said Carswell, praising his ability to compete.
“I’m pleased to welcome him to the team.”
Julia Jordan of Long Beach will arrive as a freshman with extensive experience as a competitor in Southern California junior tennis.
“Julia is everything that we look for in a recruit,” Coach Peter Mattera said. “She has been ranked as high as No. 42 on the Babolat Tennis Recruiting list and has had tremendous success in the Southern California section and in the nation.
“Julia also has international experience playing in both France and Mexico,” he said.
Mattera praised Jordan’s “numerous sportsmanship awards,” as evidence of “her outstanding character.”
Cecile Morin of Bouc Bel Air, France, a July high school graduate, is also an entering freshman.
Mattera called Morin “an excellent student” and “one of the top junior tennis players in her home country.”
As a result, he predicted Morin “will have a very positive and immediate impact.”
A talented Swiss student transferring from Oklahoma State rounds out the newcomers. Tamara Arnold will be starting her junior year.
Arnold’s Big 12 team ranked 15th in the nation with a 21-8 record this spring and reached the NCAA Sweet 16.
“She is a proven winner,” Mattera said, citing her record at both Oklahoma State and Tyler Junior College. “She is a very high-energy player and person.”