Heller Commits to Michigan During Early Signing Period
11/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Heller captured the Illinois state high school singles title as a junior in 2002 and garnered first team all-state honors during his junior and sophomore seasons. He was named to the Central Suburban all-conference team in 2000, 2001 and 2002 after winning the league's No. 1 singles title in each those years. Through three years of high school competition, Heller has compiled a career record of 88-13 at the top spot. The senior is currently No. 82 in the USTA 18-and-under singles rankings and was a member of the 2002 National Junior Davis Cup championship team.
"We are thrilled to have Ryan coming to the University of Michigan," said Mees. "Ryan is an extremely hard worker who has had success throughout his entire junior career and into high school. I expect him to continue to improve and become an excellent collegiate player as a Wolverine. Ryan is an outstanding tennis player, outstanding student, and outstanding young man. He is exactly the type of young man that we are building our program around."
The Wolverines will graduate two seniors -- Chris Shaya (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Saddlebrook Academy, Fla.) and Chris Rolf (Midland, Mich./Midland HS) -- after the 2002-03 season.
Ryan Heller's Accomplishments
High School (Through Junior Year)
Illinois State High School Singles Champion (2002)
Illinois High School First Team All-State Singles Selection (2001, 2002)
All-State Singles Honorable Mention (2000)
Central Suburban League First Singles Champion (2000, 2001, 2002)
Central Suburban All-Conference (2000, 2001, 2002)
Glenbrook North Most Valuable Player Award (2000, 2001, 2002)
88-13 in first singles competition (24-4 in 2000, 31-5 in 2001, 33-4 in 2002)
Selected as captain of the Pioneer Press All-North Suburban Tennis Team (2002)
United States Tennis Association
Ranked as high as 71st nationally in Boys 18-and-under singles (2002)
Ranked as high as 25th nationally in Boys 16-and-under singles (2002)
Ranked as high as No. 2 nationally in Boys 16-and-under doubles (2001)
Sectional Ranking of No. 3 in Boys 16s for 2001; currently No. 3 in Boys 18s
Midwest Section Closed Singles Champion Boys 18 and under (2002)
Midwest Closed Doubles Champion Boys 16 and under (2000, 2001)
Midwest Designated Indoor Champion Boys 18 and under (2002)
Midwest Designated Indoor Champion boys 16 and under (2001)
Member of the Midwest Junior Davis Cup Championship Team (2002)
Member of National Junior Davis Cup Championship Team (2002)
Champion of Gateway National Invitational Boys 18s (2002)
Member of the National Inter-sectional Team Championship 16 and under (2001)
Sportsmanship Award Winner from Gateway Invitational 2002)
Sportsmanship Award Winner from Midwest Designated Indoor (2001)
Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
