Men's Tennis Signs Bay Area Product

Dec. 19, 2003

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's tennis team announced the signing of right-hander Blane Shields to a national letter of intent, head coach George Husack announced during the early signing period that took place in November.

Shields will join the Bronco program next fall and is the first of three players expected to sign. The spring letter of intent signing period for tennis is April 14 through August 1.

"Our goal is to add three players this year and we're happy to have kicked off our recruiting campaign with Blane," Husack said. "Blane is a tremendous athlete with a great deal of upside. I believe Santa Clara is the perfect place for him to reach his goals in tennis while enjoying the excitement of our program and university."

A senior at San Marin High School in Novato, Shields is a two-sport athlete, having competed in baseball and tennis. He has been ranked as high as No. 5 in the Northern California Boys 16s singles rankings and No. 82 in the USTA National Boys 16s singles rankings. Last August, he dominated the Sonoma State Junior Open, dropping only 13 total games in five rounds of play en route to the title. A three-time team MVP, Shields went 42-4 in his prep career. A pitcher and short stop during baseball season, he was also a member of the junior varsity basketball team.

The Broncos' spring campaign will open January 17, when Santa Clara hosts back-to-back matches at the SCU Tennis Center. First serve against UC Santa Cruz will be at 10 a.m., while the second match against UC Davis is slated for 2:30 p.m.