May 29, 2009
CORAL GABLES, FLA… – Daniel Vallverdu of the No. 19 University of Miami men’s tennis team earned his fifth All-America honor from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) to close his collegiate career as the most decorated Hurricane in program history.
Finishing the season ranked 16th in the nation, Vallverdu earned his fifth All-America recognition – and third straight in singles play – courtesy of his top-20 ranking. The senior had been tabbed a 9-16 seed for the 2009 NCAA Singles Championships, however he did not compete due to injury.
To earn ITA All-America accolades in singles competition, a player must be seeded among the top 16 in the NCAA Singles Championships, reach the Round of 16 in the NCAA Singles Championships or finish in the Top 20 of the final ITA Rankings. To earn the honor in doubles competition, a player must be a top-eight seed in the NCAA Doubles Championships, reach the quarterfinals in NCAA play or finish among the top 10 in the final ITA Rankings.
Vallverdu previously earned a pair of All-America honors in doubles play as a junior alongside Carl Sundberg in 2007-08 and as a freshman with former UM standout Luigi D’Agord in 2005-06.
Vallverdu overcame various obstacles this season en route to his fourth-straight All-ACC and fifth All-America honors. He entered the fall ranked No. 1 in the country in doubles competition with Sundberg and No. 3 in singles play before being sidelined by a late fall injury. After nearly two months away from competition, the Valencia, Venezuela-native returned to the court to lead the Hurricanes to the NCAA Round of 16 and to a program-high tying second-place finish in the ACC. He won nine of his last 10 matches en route to an 18-5 overall record and a 7-1 mark in the conference.
With 90 career singles wins and 78 career doubles victories, Vallverdu ranks fourth in UM history in career wins in both categories, while his combined 168 victories is third most in Hurricane men’s tennis history.
In UM’s storied men’s tennis history, 27 Hurricanes have earned All-America honors, with Johan Donar (1987-89) and Luigi D’Agord (2006-07) earning the recognition four times apiece. Vallverdu has now topped them with his fifth honor.
Head coach Mario Rincon, who just wrapped up his fifth year at the helm, has guided four Hurricanes to 11 All-America honors while leading Miami to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances.