BY: Justin Hicks
Auburn University at Montgomery has added six new faces to the roster for the 2020 season. The Warhawks hope that these additions will help the program excel to new heights. The newcomers include five freshmen and one transfer junior. Each one of these additions will have a strong role in the upcoming 2020 season.
Men’s Tennis
Muhamad Bedwan
Muhamad Bedwan is a freshman from Millbrook, Alabama who is majoring in kinesiology. Bedwan was born May 17, 2001 to Ashraf and Inas Bedwan. He has three older brothers: Naseim, Ammer and Amer. His brother, Amer, played tennis at Troy University. Before AUM, Bedwan attended Chapman Christian Academy. He previously played tennis for the United States Tennis Association for four years, where he represented the State of Alabama and reached the number 18 ranking in all of the southeast.
Joao Guariente
Joao Pedro Guariente is a freshman from São Paulo, Brazil who is majoring in business. Guariente was born December 22, 2000 to Joao Batista Guraiente and Renata Barato Guariente. He has one older brother, Lucas Barato Guariente. Before AUM, he attended Colegio Saber in Curitiba, Brazil. He played two years for Alves e Oliveira Tennis Team in São Jose de Rio Proto.
Jonathan Judy-Hansen
Johnathan Judy-Hansen is a freshman from Spring Hill, Florida who is majoring in business finance. Judy-Hansen is the son of Kristy Lupo. His mother played collegiate softball at both Polk State and Warner University. He has two younger sisters, Jesi and Alix, and one older sister, Megan. Before AUM, he attended the Pasco eSchool in Spring Hill, Florida, where he was named All-Conference four years in a row. He also won district championships in both singles and doubles during his last three years of his prep career. He went 16-1 in his first two seasons for the prep school. However, he was named the Player of the Year during his junior season after going 17-0.
Nino Portugal
Nino Portugal is a freshman from Brasila, Brazil who is majoring in business and minoring in marketing. Portugal was born September 8, 2000. He is the son of Raul Fernando Portugal Neto and Silvia Regina Da Costa Goncalves. He has a brother named Rafael Melquíades Goncalves Portugal. Before AUM, he attended Colégio Atenue in Sao José de Rio Preto, Brazil. He played for Late Clube de Brasilia/Dumont Tennis in Brasilia, Brazil. He won the Brasilian Championship Interclubs for Juniors at age 18 on June 19, 2018. He also won the Master of Rolan Garros Amateur First Class Tournament on Feb. 17, 2019
Women’s Tennis
Maria Casas
Maria Casas is a junior from Madrid, Spain who is majoring in biomedical science. Casas was born May 19, 1999. She is the daughter of Manuel Jose Casas Ferreiro and Maria Del Carmen Blas. She has one older sister, Lucia Casas Blas. Before AUM, Casas attended Troy University for two years. While at Troy, she played two seasons for the Trojans. She held an overall record of 9-11 in her freshman year. She improved in her sophomore season by holding an overall record of 15-12.
Isabella Pinto
Isabella Pinto is a freshman from São Paulo, Brazil who is majoring in physical education. Pinto was born May 7, 2000. She is the daughter of Marcelo Pinto and Alessandra C.S. Goncalves. Pinto has an older sister, Francine De Cassia Pinto. Before AUM, Pinto attended Universade Estadual De Londrina in Londrina, Brazil. She played one year for Clube Esperia under Head Coach in São Paulo, Brazil.