App State Tennis Inks

BOONE, NC South African tennis tournament Naledi Manyube has signed to join App State’s tennis program for the 2023-24 season, head coach Ashleigh Antal announced on Friday.

“We are very excited to have Naledi join our Apptennis family this fall,” said Antal. “His work ethic and high level playing pedigree will play a key role in our continued success next season. Naledi embodies what it means to be a Mountaineer and will undoubtedly have an immediate impact.”

Hailing from George, South Africa, Manyube represented his country last month at the Europe-Africa Group of the Billie Jean King Cup held in Oeiras, Portugal. This was his second season with the national team and he helped South Africa finish fifth in Skopje, North Macedonia in 2022.

Ranked among the top 10 junior players in South Africa and top 300 junior players worldwide, Manyube burst onto the scene in February 2022 when he won three ITF Junior Grade 5 titles in a fortnight, culminating in a title at the J5 in Durban. She was also part of the tandem that won the girls’ doubles crown in the event.

Manyube previously competed at the U18 ITF Finals in Johnanasburg, where she qualified for the championship match.

“I really like App State’s message and values. I really resonated and connected with them,” Manyube said. “And since App State is a growing environment, I would love to be a part of a program that wants to continue to grow and develop.”

The daughter of Vusumzi and Ntombekhaya Manyube plans to study exercise science at App State.

Follow App State Tennis on Twitter(@AppWTennis), Instagram(@appwtennis) and appstatesports.com.