All-American Monday - Conny Falk

Conny Falk (1989-91)

Coral Gables, Fla. – ConnyFalk was not recruited by the University of Miami. He showed up on the CoralGables campus to visit his Swedish friend and fellow countryman Johan Donar. Heliked what he saw so he went to the tennis office. Having never heard of Falkbut hearing that a really good international player from Sweden was interested,coach John Hammill offered Falk a scholarship.

Born on Nov. 30, 1966, in Stockholm, Sweden, Falk earneda Swedish Junior ranking of fourth before traveling west. As a junior hetraveled to the U.S. and competed in tournaments like the Junior Orange Bowl,Sunshine Cup and Rolex in New York.

As a freshman, during the 1988-89 season, Falk earnedAll-American recognition after going 31-13 in singles play. As a result he wasnamed the team’s MVP. Falk followed uphis 31-win freshman season by posting a 36-9 singles mark in his sophomore year, becoming a NCAA semifinalist.

Over a two-month period during his sophomore campaign, Falkwent 20-3, advancing to the quarters of the Rolex National Indoor Championshipsand winning the Vivitar National Collegiate Tennis Classis by a score of 6-3and 6-2. Falk put together a nine-game and 10-match win streak.

Despite his impressive back to back 30+ win seasons, Falkoutdid himself in his junior year. Falk, who started the year ranked No. 3 andfell to No. 14, ended his season with the No. 1 ranking in the nation, thefirst Hurricane, male or female, to attain that honor.

Falk finished his junior year with a 38-7 singles record andhis Hurricanes career as a three-time All-American with a 105-29 overall mark, second only to fellow countryman Donar.

During his junior campaign, Falk would be named the VolvoTennis National Collegiate Player of the Month for February after posting aperfect 13-0 record on his way to winning the Rolex National IndoorChampionships and National Team Indoors Championships. Included in his perfectmark were victories over three top-10 players. Falk compiled an 8-2 markagainst seven top-10 players and a 17-4 mark against the 17 opponents he facedwho were ranked in the top-30 in the nation.

In addition to being named the Volvo Tennis NationalCollegiate Player of the Month for February, Falk became a member of the 1991Rolex Collegiate All-Star Team, received the 1991 Head Arthur Ashe Jr.Sportsmanship Award for Region III and was a finalist for the National RafaelOsuna Sportsmanship Award. Falk would be named to the Dean’s List for his workin the classroom.