University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Men's Tennis Signs Pair Of Outstanding International Players
May 9, 2011 | Men's Tennis
May 9, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina men's tennis program announced the signing of Oystein Steiro and Esben Hess-Olesen to National Letters-of-Intent Monday. Steiro, from Snaroya, Norway, and Hess-Olesen, a native of Billund, Denmark, will join the Tar Heels in the fall of 2011.
Hess-Olesen is a highly-decorated tennis player from Denmark. He has been ranked as high as No. 1 in the nation in singles and doubles. He was a finalist of the Danish Junior Championships in singles and was a three-time champion in doubles partnering with his brother Soren. He has notable singles wins over multiple top 100 ITF players including a Wimbledon doubles champion. He also won the ITF doubles title in Oslo.
"It was never in doubt that UNC was the right place for me," said Hess-Olesen. "UNC's tennis program provides a great opportunity for me to work on my dream of becoming a professional tennis player. In addition UNC is among the best universities in America. When I visited Chapel Hill last November I got the feel of the great atmosphere, and the people around the program made me feel at home in no time."
Steiro hails from Norway, where he has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in the boys 14s, 16s, and 18s. In the 16s he was ranked No. 1 in the Nordic countries and No. 37 in Europe. He has captured an ITF singles title (Oslo) and two ITF doubles titles (Oslo). He is also a member of the Norwegian Davis Cup team.
"Sam (Paul), Tripp (Phillips) and Scott (Perelman) have an unbelievable amount of experience at the highest levels of professional tennis," said Steiro. "They have a great understanding of what it takes to make it to the top and I am confident they can help my game reach its full potential. Also, it doesn't hurt that UNC is an outstanding university academically that is well known all over the world. I hope I can make my contribution to that great group of tennis players at UNC. I simply can't wait to get going and give it all that I have."
"We are pleased to announce that Esben and Oystein will be joining our program," said Tar Heel head coach Sam Paul. "They are outstanding young men who come from great families. They have produced tremendous results on the tennis court and in the classroom, and we know they will have an immediate impact on our program. We were very impressed with their work ethic, character, and their extremely high goals for their tennis and academics. We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with both of them."
