Men’s Tennis Announces Signings of Vorwerk, Sparks to 2024-25 Roster
11/14/2024 10:16:00 AM | Men's Tennis
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty men's tennis team and head coach Derek Schwandt have announced the signings of Guy Vorwerk and Ben Sparks as the second and third freshmen on the 2024-25 roster. Both players plan to join the team in January.
The new-look Liberty lineup, with the additions of Vorwerk and Sparks, includes three freshmen, along with Siwanat Auytayakul and three additions via transfer. Vorwerk will slot into the lineup as soon as the Liberty's first spring match,
Vorwerk, a native of Hillcrest, South Africa, currently owns a No. 429 ITF Junior ranking and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 208 on Feb. 12. He sports an 11.96 UTR (Universal Tennis) ranking and a 16.8 WTN (World Tennis Number). The incoming freshman has represented South Africa at all group levels.
"We are excited about Guy's work ethic, all court game, passion for team sport, and most importantly his character," Schwandt said. "It's an honor and blessing to continue our line of South African Liberty Tennis student-athletes."
As a junior, Vorwerk has collected a 46-34 overall record in ITF matches and a 14-5 mark so far in 2024. He has recently secured singles titles at the J30 Gaborone in April and in Sept. 2023. Vorwerk has finished as a finalist at the J60 Durban (Jan. 2024) and a semifinalist in the same event in February. In doubles, Vorwerk has secured titles at the J60 Durban (Jan. 2024, Sept. 2023), J100 Garborone (Oct. 2023), J100 Pretoria (Sept. 2023) and J100 Bloemfontein (Feb. 2023).
Vorwerk joins a list of current players, Ernst Gouws and Carl Roothman, who are also from South Africa. Former Flames student-athletes Christiaan Worst and Thando Longwe-Smit also hailed from the same country.
Ben Sparks, hailing from Naples, Fla., is a five-star recruit according to tennisrecruiting.net. He ranked as high of No. 1351 in the ITF junior rankings and carries an 11.10 UTR ranking and an 18.0 WTN. Sparks has collected a 28-25 record in ITF matches.
"Ben is a great fit for Liberty and our team. He has a powerful, all-court game," Schwandt said. "His character, athleticism and teachability are big strengths."
Sparks most recently finished sixth at the National Clay Courts Championship. He has previously secured titles at the L4 USTA Summer Smash B18 (Aug. 2023), L5 Sterling Oaks Men's Open (March 2023) and the Countryside Spring Level 5 B14u (2021). Sparks has finished as a semifinalist or runner-up in marquee events, including the UTR PTT Bonita Springs Fl (Jan. 2024), L1 USTA National Open HardCt Championship San Diego (June 2023) and the L2 USTA, Rome, Ga B16 Singles (2023).
The Liberty men's tennis team begins the spring season hosting a doubleheader against Richmond and Radford on Jan. 18.
The new-look Liberty lineup, with the additions of Vorwerk and Sparks, includes three freshmen, along with Siwanat Auytayakul and three additions via transfer. Vorwerk will slot into the lineup as soon as the Liberty's first spring match,
Vorwerk, a native of Hillcrest, South Africa, currently owns a No. 429 ITF Junior ranking and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 208 on Feb. 12. He sports an 11.96 UTR (Universal Tennis) ranking and a 16.8 WTN (World Tennis Number). The incoming freshman has represented South Africa at all group levels.
"We are excited about Guy's work ethic, all court game, passion for team sport, and most importantly his character," Schwandt said. "It's an honor and blessing to continue our line of South African Liberty Tennis student-athletes."
As a junior, Vorwerk has collected a 46-34 overall record in ITF matches and a 14-5 mark so far in 2024. He has recently secured singles titles at the J30 Gaborone in April and in Sept. 2023. Vorwerk has finished as a finalist at the J60 Durban (Jan. 2024) and a semifinalist in the same event in February. In doubles, Vorwerk has secured titles at the J60 Durban (Jan. 2024, Sept. 2023), J100 Garborone (Oct. 2023), J100 Pretoria (Sept. 2023) and J100 Bloemfontein (Feb. 2023).
Vorwerk joins a list of current players, Ernst Gouws and Carl Roothman, who are also from South Africa. Former Flames student-athletes Christiaan Worst and Thando Longwe-Smit also hailed from the same country.
Ben Sparks, hailing from Naples, Fla., is a five-star recruit according to tennisrecruiting.net. He ranked as high of No. 1351 in the ITF junior rankings and carries an 11.10 UTR ranking and an 18.0 WTN. Sparks has collected a 28-25 record in ITF matches.
"Ben is a great fit for Liberty and our team. He has a powerful, all-court game," Schwandt said. "His character, athleticism and teachability are big strengths."
Sparks most recently finished sixth at the National Clay Courts Championship. He has previously secured titles at the L4 USTA Summer Smash B18 (Aug. 2023), L5 Sterling Oaks Men's Open (March 2023) and the Countryside Spring Level 5 B14u (2021). Sparks has finished as a semifinalist or runner-up in marquee events, including the UTR PTT Bonita Springs Fl (Jan. 2024), L1 USTA National Open HardCt Championship San Diego (June 2023) and the L2 USTA, Rome, Ga B16 Singles (2023).
The Liberty men's tennis team begins the spring season hosting a doubleheader against Richmond and Radford on Jan. 18.
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