Wolfpack Men's Tennis Inks Two Signees

4/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis

April 25, 2002

Raleigh, N.C.--The NC State men's tennis squad has now signed three players for the 2002-03 season with the additions of Rehman Esmail (Vancouver, B.C.) and Val Banada (N. Miami Beach, Fla.) to the fold.

Esmail, who currently boasts national rankings of third in doubles and 16th in singles, won the National Indoor and Outdoor Doubles Championships in 2000. On the way to those titles, Esmail defeated the 2000 junior Wimbledown doubles champion. He also topped current Duke standout Jason Zimmerman, who was ranked in the top 30 in the ITF at the time.

NC State also signed Val Banada for the upcoming season. Banada won the "Easter Bowl", one of the biggest junior tournaments on the circuit in 2000. Currently ranked 37th in the nation, Banada has defeated several of the top 50 players in the nation recently, including Zimmerman.

The Wolfpack will look to rebound from a 5-20 season in 2002.