Schyllander Signs Top Junior from Indonesia
Head coach Nils Schyllander and the men’s tennis program have added another player to next year’s class with the signing of Armando Soemarno, the No. 1 ranked junior player in Indonesia. Soemarno will join Thomas Laurent (Montpellier, France) and Ethan Young-Smith (Bend, Ore.) on the court next year for the Ducks.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Armando to Eugene,” said Schyllander. “He’s a very accomplished doubles player and he is going to make an immediate impact on the program. With his talent, we believe his singles play will eventually take off as well.”
Soemarno’s most impressive result came in the 2013 Southeast Asian Championships where he partnered with Sunu Wahyu Trijat and took down Treat Huey – the No. 27 ranked player in the ATP World Doubles rankings at the time – and Ruben Gonzales in the championship match 4-6, 7-6 (6), 12-10. Gonzales and Huey together are currently the top ranked doubles team in the Philippines.
While playing on the ITF Junior Circuit, Soemarno compiled an impressive 89-48 doubles record. At the AGS 2 International Junior Championships G4 last October, Soemarno teamed with Achad Imam Maruf and won five-straight matches, giving the pair the doubles title. He also made it to the quarterfinals in singles play of the AGS 1 International Junior Championships, falling just short of a semifinal appearance after dropping a 4-6, 6-1, 2-6 contest to Alex Solanki – one of the top players in India. Soemarno also made it to the quarterfinals in the doubles portion of that same tournament.
Soemarno spent the last few months at the Weil Tennis Academy – with fellow Oregon commit Ethan Young-Smith – after graduating from high school in Indonesia.
“There is no magic formula in choosing a college, but I believe I chose the right one,” said Soemarno on his signing. “I have always wanted to keep pursuing my tennis dream along with receiving a good education. For me, the University of Oregon is the right fit because they have what I need.”
Most importantly, Schyllander and the rest of the coaching staff believe that Soemarno will be a perfect fit with the team.
“Armando is such a team-centered player, we can’t wait to coach him,” said Schyllander. “His high character and positive attitude will help turn him into an elite player.”
