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Dec. 1, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue men's tennis team has announced its signings for the class of 2009. Billy Heuer and Alex Johnson will be the latest additions to head coach Tim Madden's squad come next fall. Heuer is a 6-3 right-hander from Munster, Ind. He posted a career record of 92-9 at Munster High School, finishing as the runner-up in the state tournament last season. He has been named all-state first team in each of the last three years, as well as all-state honorable mention in 2005. He has also received all-district and all-conference honors in each of his four seasons. Billy was named Team MVP in 2005, 2007 and 2008, was a team captain the last two years and received his team's Pride, Hustle and Desire Award in 2007. He led his Munster teams to fourth place finishes in the state in both 2006 and 2008, playing under head coach Steve Lopez. He also won two main draw matches at the USTA National Championships in Kalamazoo this year and is ranked No. 1 in the USTA Northern Indiana District and No. 190 nationally. Billy is a National Honor Society member and will be a fourth generation Boilermaker. "Billy Heuer is one of the toughest competitors I have ever seen," Madden said. "He is an all-around athlete who has tremendous work ethic and competes with a lot of intensity. His junior tennis success and making a run into the finals of the Indiana state high school tournament show his high level of determination and confidence. Billy comes from a long line of family members who are Purdue Boilermakers. There is already a pride factor that will serve him well when it is time to get the next win for the Old Gold and Black." Johnson is a 5-10 right-hander from San Diego, Calif. As a junior, he placed fifth at the Wilson National Singles Tournament and won the Wilson National Doubles Tournament. He currently ranks among the top-80 in the nation. As a sophomore, he placed fifth at the Southern California Singles Sectional and won the Southern California Doubles Sectional. During his freshman season, he was a Gold Ball winner for taking home the doubles title at the USTA Easter Bowl National Championships. He also won a Bronze Ball for his doubles play at the USTA Clay Court Nationals. Johnson finished his freshman campaign as a doubles finalist and a singles semifinalist at the USTA International Spring Championships. Alex has also won the San Diego Union Tribune Scholar-Athlete Award. Upon coming to Purdue, he will be reunited with former teammate Eric Ramos.
"Alex Johnson is a talented athlete who has worked hard to develop his impressive technical skills," Madden said. "He has the ability to be a consistent baseliner or an attacking player which has allowed him success at a top-50 national level. Alex has high expectations for himself and will bring a high level of confidence to our team. Southern California tennis is a highly competitive environment that has given him experience at an elite level. The only thing more competitive may be the on and off court competition among all four brothers who excel at our sport." The Boilermaker men's tennis team begins their spring slate on Jan. 18 versus DePaul. Action starts at the Schwartz Tennis Center at noon ET. |
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