Nov. 29, 2007

EVANSTON, Ill.-- Northwestern's men's tennis team inked one of its most accomplished recruiting classes in its history, signing Eric Spector (Glenbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) and Josh Graves (Milwaukee, Wis./Nicolet) this fall.

"I expect both players to make an immediate impact on the team next year," Swan said. "Both recruits bring a wealth of tennis experience and as importantly, the two players will work extremely hard on the court and in the classroom."

During their senior years, the two players have been ranked as five-star recruits by tennisrecruiting.net and are in the top 55 in the nation. Spector is No. 2 and Graves is No. 3 in the Midwest.

Eric Spector competed with the USTA National team in both England and France in 2004, while winning the Midwest Open. In 2005, Spector took the crown at the doubles Midwest, was on a championship team in Chicago and placed sixth in the Super Nationals in the winter. As a junior, his high school team won the state championship, while he finished third individually. He then won the CDTA Qualifier. This past season, Spector became a finalist at the ITF Spring Circuit and was a semifinalist a month earlier in the same circuit.

Graves, one of the top prospects in the Midwest, was a quarterfinalist of the consolation bracket at the National Clay Courts event, finished undefeated in Midwest Davis Cup and was a winner and finalist of numerous sectional events. In the Boys 16 National Open, Graves placed third, while finishing fifth in the 18-year-old division. Graves then topped that feat by winning the the Boys 18 Midwest Closed Championships as a 16 year old. At the St. Louis National Clay Court tournament, the senior posted another third-place finish. As a freshman, Graves was named an all-state performer without losing a single match that season. His team went on to win the state title.