Nov. 19, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis men's tennis program added their first recruit of the 2009-10 class with the addition of international recruit Michel-Alexandre Rioux of Rimouski, Quebec, Canada, who signed an NLI with the program late last week.

"We are really excited to add Michel to our recruiting class," said head coach Paul Goebel. "Michel plays a great base line game and is going to be a player who is going to work hard every day for us. We think he is going to be a good addition for this program."

Rioux has been ranked by the International Tennis Federation. Last November in the Rimouski Challenger Qualifying Draw, he advanced to the round of 16 with a victory over Christopher Audhuy. In March, Rioux moved on to the round of 16 of the Canada F2 Futures Qualifying Draw with two victories. He secured a victory in October of 2007 at the Rimouski National Bank Challenger over the 275th-best player in the ATP rankings, Juan Pablo Villar. Rioux took the match in three sets.

In doubles, Rioux partnered with David Marcotte to advance to the quarterfinals of the Canada F1 Futures Tournament.

Rioux will join Leon Nasemann and Michael Gaerthoeffner, both native Germans, as international players on Paul Goebel's roster next season. Goebel and his staff are looking to replace outgoing seniors Benedikt Fischer and Jorge Vazquez, who are also both international products.