MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Auburn University at Montgomery head tennis coach
Yair Banuelos has announce addition of four new men's and two new women's players to his programs, as Muhamad Bedwan, Joao Guariente, Jonathan Judy-Hansen and Nino Portugal will join the men's team while Maria Casas Blas and Isabella Pinto will join the women's.
"I am very pleased and happy to announce this recruiting class," said Banuelos. "We are adding a brilliant group of tennis players with lots of talent and academic strengths too. They all come with the right personality to work hard, compete, and perform in every aspect to achieve our goals."
Bedwan comes to AUM from Chapman Christian Academy. He's played under the United States Tennis Association and reached the rank of #18 in the Southeast Region while in high school. He also represented the State of Alabama the past four years.
"I am very happy that we were able to recruit Muhamad," said Banuelos. "He is very complete tennis player who can adapt to any style of game. He will not take anything for granted and he will do what it takes to help this program at the top. Being a local player from Montgomery, he knows the tradition of our successful tennis program and he comes to win."
A Montgomery native, Muhamad is the son of Ashraf and Inas Bedwan. He has three older brothers, Naseim, Ameer and Amer. His older brother Amer plays tennis for Troy University.
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Guariente is a native of Monte Azul Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil. He attended Colégio Saber Curitiba, Parana. He played for Alves e Oliveira Tennis Team in São Jose de Rio Proto for coaches Thiago Alves, Edvaldo Oliveira, Augusto Laranja and Roberto Monteiro. He reached the Bahia Juniors Cup G3 (ITF) - Q3, the Copa Guga Kuerton G4 (ITF) - Q3, the Brazilian National Tournament Copa São Paulo - 18M - SF, the Brazil F1 Futures - Q2, the Londrina Juniors Cup G4 (ITF) - R32, the ITF Juniors de Curitiba G5 - R16, the Bahia Juniors Cup (G3) - R32, the Copa Guga Kuertori G4 (ITF) - R32 and the Career High Combined 2250.
"Joao is a very talented player who will bring strength to our team" added Banuelos. "Having a left-handed player in the team is always an advantage. Although he played a lot on clay, his game will adapt very well to hard court in both singles and doubles."
The son of Joao Batista Guariente and Renata Barato Guariente, he has one older brother, Lucas Barato Guariente.
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Judy-Hansen comes to AUM from the Pasco eSchool in Spring Hill, Fla., where he played for coach Karl Hinkle. He was named All-Conference four years in a row, and won district championships in both singles and doubles the past three years. He was named the Player of the Year in his junior season after going 17-0. He also went 16-1 in both his freshman and sophomore seasons.
"Jonathan is a young player who has improved immensely in the last 2 years and I see great potential for continued improvement," Banuelos said. "His character as a person and player is something that stood out to me as a coach and I am sure his drive will help him a lot throughout his career."
The son of Kristy and Anthony Lupo, Jonathan has three sisters - Megan Kachkmarik, Jesi Lupo and Alix Lupo.
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Portugal is a native of Brasilia, Brazil. He attended Colégio Ateneu in São José do Rio Preto where he played for late Clube de Brasilia/Dumont Ténis and head coach Santos Dumont Guimarães. He won the Champion of Master Roland Garros Amateur – First Class in Rio de Janeiro on Feb. 17, 2019 after winning the Champion of Brasilian Championship Interclubs (Juniors 18) in São Paulo on June 19, 2018.
"Nino is another Brazilian player who will help us tremendously," added Banuelos. "He possesses a heavy ball striking game with a good serve. His style of game will bring a different element to the team. He will help us in the strength of our line up in singles and doubles too."
The son of Raul Fernando Portuagal Neto and Silvia Regina da Costa Gonçalves, he has one older brother, Rafael Melquiades Gonçalves Portugal.
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Casas Blas will join the women's squad after spending the past two years at Troy University. A native of Madrid, Spain, she attended IES Joaquin Sorolla in Villalbilla, Los Hueros, where she played for coach Antonio Ruiz. While at Troy she won Flight B the Mercer Gridiron Championship doubles tournament in the Fall of 2018 and was the the runner-up of the singles competition at the Mercer tournament as a freshman and a sophomore.
"Having Maria join the women's team is fantastic," said Banuelos. "She comes to AUM with good results at a high NCAA Division I level. I believe her collegiate experience combined with her competitiveness brings a lot to the table."
The daughter of Manuel Jose Casas Ferreiro and Maria Del Carmen Blas, Maria has one sister, Lucia Casas.
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Pinto is a native of Atibaia, São Paulo, Brazil, and attended Externato São Jose. She then attended Universidade Estadual de Londrina in Londrina, Parana. She played for coach Albers Bernardes with Esperia for one year.
"Isabella is an energetic person and committed to her goals," added Banuelos. "Her discipline and enthusiasm are going to help us immensely. She is a great fighter and competitor who will leave everything on the court. She will be a great teammate with the right mindset for our team."
The daughter of Marcelo Pinto and Alessandra CS Goncalves, Isabella has one sister, Francine de Cassia Pinto.
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