July 26, 2005

College Park, MD. - Incoming freshman Andy Orban from Fayetteville, North Carolina and doubles partner Michael Venus won the 2005 National Clay Court Tennis Championships on July 24. The pair received a gold ball, considered one of the most prestigious awards in junior tennis. Orban also finished in third place in the singles competition, earning a bronze ball.

"Andy is an outstanding competitor who will have a major impact on the Terp program," said Terrapin head coach Jim Laitta.

In addition to his first- and third-place finishes in the tournament, Orban received the honor of having an award named after him. Each year the National Clay Court Tennis Championships hosts a dinner around the middle of the tournament to honor the remaining sixteen players in the main draw competition. Orban attended the dinner the past four years, which is the maximum number of times any player is allowed to attend. For this achievement, Orban received an award which was later named in his honor.

The National Clay Court Championships was hosted by the Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland. It is one of the four major junior tennis tournaments in addition to the junior Grand Slam events.