Raian Luchici

Height:
5-9
Weight:
150
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Timisoara, Romania
High School:
University of Nebraska Independent Study

General - Stands 5-9 and weighs 150 pounds...one of the top returning players in the nation...a 2004 and 2005 All-ACC selection....ranked 5th in the national preseason singles rankings by the ITA and #1 in doubles with Brad Pomeroy....has an impressive 12-6 career record in three set matches...was born April 4, 1984 in Timisoara, Romania...is the son of Rada and Radmila Luchici...has one sister, Raiana...nicknamed "Cheech."

As a Junior - Posted an 11-2 fall record...Defeated Chip Webb, Todd Paul and Conor Taylor to advance to the quarterfinals of the ITA Mideast Regional where he fell to Rylan Rizza...Beat nationally ranked players: Stephen Bass (Notre Dame), Paul Rose (Purdue), Mat Cloer (FSU), Stephane Rod (Va. Tech) and Ludovic Walter (Duke) at the number one singles spot...Clinched the 5-2 victory over South Carolina with a 6-3, 6-3 win versus Tom Eklund. ..Lost to NCAA singles finalist Pierrik Ysern (San Diego) in the first round of NCAA tournament 6-2, 2-6, 6-2...ranked as high as #63 in singles during the regular season...Played 11 three set matches and faced 19 nationally ranked opponents...Teamed with Jonathan Janda to form one of the top #2 doubles teams in the conference...rallied from a 6-2 deficit at Miami to capture the critical doubles point

As a Sophomore - Posted a 21-4 dual match singles record...Led the Tar Heels to their first victory in Athens, Ga., since 1994 beating his former school, 5-2...teamed with Brad Pomeroy to win at #2 doubles, 9-7...was one of three Tar Heels to rally from a set down and win five the of six singles matches from the heavily favored Bulldogs ...Clinched the 4-3 victory over Georgia Tech with a straight set win over West Nott...Defeated UVA's Stephen Rozek in singles and doubles in one of Carolina's biggest wins of the year at 12th-ranked Virginia...Was 12-4 in doubles matches with teammate Jonathan Janda...Clinched the doubles point 9-8(5) in a 4-2 victory over Louisville...Named the ACC Men's Tennis Player of the Week on March 29, 2004 ... won the 2003 ITA summer circuit singles titles in Gainesville, Fla. and Chapel Hill.

As a Freshman (at Georgia) - Played primarily at No. 4 and No. 5 and was 1-0 at No. 3 with a win at Georgia Tech.

Prep - Played ITF tennis in the junior ranks...graduated from University of Nebraska Lincoln Independent Study High School...as an ITF player he won the international hard courts doubles in 2001...won ITF grade 1 doubles in Lexington, Ky. in 2001 and Atlanta ITF in singles in 2002....maintained a top 5 national ranking throughout his junior career in Romania...national champion and No. 1 player in home country at age 12...came to Marietta, Ga. at age 16 and trained at Universal Tennis Academy under David Drew.

Personal Information:

Full Name: Raian Luchici
College Major: Business
Hobbies: Music, traveling, soccer, golf
Athletes most admired: Andre Agassi and Michael Jordan
Biggest Sports Thrill: Winning the Romanian National Championship in 1996
Favorite Book: The Count of Monte Cristo
Favorite Movies: Braveheart and Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Food: Steak and Spaghetti Carbonara
People Who Have Had The Greatest Influence On Your Athletic Career: My parents and my Romanian coach, Begu Viorel
Favorite TV Show: CSI