PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland men's tennis team has signed Julien Penzlin to a National Letter of Intent, head coach Aaron Gross announced on Tuesday. Penzlin, a native of Bad Homburg, Germany, will join the Pilots as a freshman next fall.
 
"We are really excited to have Julien join us starting next fall," Portland head coach Aaron Gross said. "He's been as high as the No. 7-ranked junior in Germany and 160 in the open rankings. He has wins over several players in the top 100 on the ITF Junior rankings despite being unable to play too much internationally. He is perfect for our program. Julien is a little bit under the radar in terms of exposure. He has weapons and is a strong player who will be ready for college tennis right off the bat.

"Germany has probably sent more excellent college players to America then almost any other country throughout the years. Julien is a good player who will come in and challenge for a lineup spot right off the bat. He has a full schedule of tournaments planned before his arrival in Portland so I think he'll be ready to go when he gets to campus. It is amazing to see that he is as excited to join us as we are to have him. I think he would be over here tomorrow if he could."

Penzline will join a roster that will be very experienced as all six players in the singles and doubles lineups this spring for Portland will be returning. The Pilots are 8-5 overall this season, including a signature win over perennial West Coast Conference heavyweight San Diego.

"We have done a great job this spring season in spite of the fact of having three players opt out," Gross added. "Two of them were expected to have been big contributors. Julien will help fill those shoes next year."