Cavs add touted recruiting class

Most college tennis pundits would agree that Virginia men’s coach Brian Boland already has the most talented roster in the country.

That’s why, right about now, coaches around the country just have to be shaking their heads.

On Monday, Boland landed a downright scary recruiting class for next season. Quite possibly, it’s the best of his tenure — and that’s saying something when you consider two-time NCAA champion Somdev Devvarman once played for Boland.

Boland went to all corners of the globe in landing recruits Dino Dell’Orto (Hong Kong, China), Jarmere Jenkins (College Park, Ga.), and Julen Uriguen (Guatemala City, Guatemala).

“I have signed some outstanding classes over the years,” Boland said, “but this particular group certainly ranks up there as one of the best.”

Jenkins, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-hander, is the coup de grace. He will be the top-ranked American junior player to enter college this fall and has been ranked within the top 20 in the world ITF rankings.

In December, he won the Orange Bowl doubles title while reaching the singles final. In February, he won the doubles title at a USTA Futures Circuit event in Texas, defeating former Cavalier All-American Treat Huey and Wake Forest All-American Todd Paul in the final.

Last year, Jenkins played in the junior US Open, junior Wimbledon and junior French Open. In 2006, he reached the doubles final of the US Open Junior Championship.

“Brian is a great guy and a great coach. Next year, with all the players we have, we’re going to be just great,” Jenkins said. “Having the best team and a great coach is a great situation for me heading into college.”

Jenkins picked Virginia over Texas A&M and Georgia.

“I had good chemistry with [coach] Steve Denton at Texas A&M, but I just think with Virginia, Brian is a little bit more like my coach now [Stephen Koon].”

Jenkins, whose older brothers played at Northwestern and Clemson, said he labored over his decision.

“We had conference calls from, like, 7 at night to 1 in the morning,” he said. “There were times when I walked away from the call and I thought for sure I was going to Texas A&M, and then there were times when we walked away and it was Virginia.”

Boland, who has turned Virginia into a tennis power in his eight years on grounds, was tireless in his efforts to land Jenkins.

“Any time you recruit against the top programs in college tennis, it’s always a battle,” he said. “Jarmere is a kid who has so much going for him and would have an immediate impact anywhere in the country.

“I think he was impressed with how our players have grown and developed throughout their careers.”

Next season, Boland will lose only senior Dom Inglot to graduation. Theoretically, Jenkins could come right in and battle Sanam Singh and Michael Shabaz for the No. 1 singles spot.

Last month, Uriguen, an American citizen who lives in San Antonio, made his Davis Cup debut for Guatemala at the age of 17. He joins Singh (also ranked as high as No. 4 in the ITF rankings) as the highest ranked junior player to join the Cavalier program.

Dell’Orto has been ranked as high as No. 87 in the ITF junior rankings. He has competed in the main draw of both the Australian Open Junior Championships and the Orange Bowl tournament. He is currently the No. 1 ranked junior in Hong Kong.

Regardless of who plays where, Virginia figures to have a lineup in which just about any player would be the No. 1 at any other school.

Boland is thrilled about all three additions. He called Jenkins “an ideal fit, both on and off the court.”

“He has goals and aspirations to play tennis at the next level and I believe we have an environment that will help him meet his goal,” Boland said.

Jenkins actually gave serious thought to bypassing college and turning professional.

“It’s been one of my goals since I was 4,” said Jenkins, who idolized Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras as a kid. “I was strongly considering it, but in the end I realized the best thing to do was to go to college.

“The main factor that went into my decision to come to Virginia was the team,” he continued. “I get along great with the guys that are here. Coach Boland is a really good coach and the athletic program is top-notch. I feel comfortable with the academics and the school is beautiful. It is a great place for me to grow and improve my tennis.”