Sept. 13, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Coming off stellar seasons, Vandy men’s tennis’ Daniel Valent and Cameron Klinger represent the Commodores in the 2016-2017 ITA preseason singles rankings.
Both Valent and Klinger capped their 2016 campaigns earning SEC recognition and competing in the 2016 NCAA individual tournaments.
Valent begins his junior season cracking the ITA-top 25 for the first time, coming in at No. 21 in the nation. The Zurich, Switzerland native is the first men’s tennis player to represent VU in the singles top-25 since Gonzales Austin graduated in 2015.
“We all know Danny’s (Valent) work ethic is herculean,” said head coach Ian Duvenhage “he’s a very very ambitious and driven kid. I feel like at some point here soon he’s going to put it all together, he’s had a great career so far. I feel like when he does put it all together, he’s going to make another huge jump. From where he is at 21, a huge jump would put him up there… the question is when.”
Last year Danny compiled a 16-9 record at No. 1 singles, and has amassed a 60-20 record in his time playing for the black and gold. While ending his sophomore season ranked No. 37 in the country, Valent returns to court one up 16 spots.
“I think Danny’s biggest growth has been mental and emotional. As a freshman he was a very accomplished tennis player, but he was a very young freshman. He’s matured a lot; he has a much better understanding of what competing is all about. Also, a much healthier approach to competition.”
Klinger also enjoys a nice boost in the ITA singles rankings, as the San Jose, Calif. native climbed 33 spots to No. 60 in the country. The youngest men’s tennis player to earn All-American accolades, Klinger had multiple dominate performances for the ‘Dores, including a huge home clinch over No. 7 Texas A&M.
“Cam (Klinger) got a little bit unlucky in rankings last year, in that in the SEC tournament he was up 5-1 in the third against a guy who was ranked way up there. Had he won that match, he could have ended the year much higher. But Cam has proven to us on a number of occasions that he can play with anybody. He’s also had to grow and mature, mentally and emotionally, sometimes he’s got too frustrated out there and we’ve worked on that. When he puts everything together he’s going to be really tough.”