Pepperdine University Athletics

DANE ESSES CAREER STATS

PEPPERDINE 2016-17: Earned Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete honors ââ'¬¦ WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll 'bronze' honors Ã¢â'¬¦ As a freshman, competed in 37 singles matches, going 19-15, with three unfinished matches, and 11 doubles matches, going 3-8 ââ'¬¦ Defeated Connor Heap of #4 California in three sets on 2/12.

HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Memorial High School in Houston, Texas in 2016 ââ'¬¦ Lettered four seasons at MHS in the number one singles position under Budd Booth in the Texas 6A league ââ'¬¦ In juniors, he finished ranked #3 in Texas (18s) and ranked as high as #39 nationally in 2016 ââ'¬¦ He is currently ranked #12 in the University Tennis Ratings ââ'¬¦ He has posted a 29-12 overall record all-time, including an 11-7 record against 5-star competitors, a 6-2 record against 4-star, 7-0 against 3-star and 4-0 against 2-star competitors, and one win against a blue chip competitorââ'¬¦ He finished in the top 10 in the state of Texas in 12s, 14s and 16s ââ'¬¦ Throughout his career, he was the first freshman to make the state tournament and won district and regionals in all four campaigns ââ'¬¦ His senior season, he was the varsity captain and won district in doubles ââ'¬¦ In his junior season at the number two position, he earned both district and regional singles victories ââ'¬¦ In his junior outing, he won district singles and in his freshman season on the varsity squad, he was a state qualifier ââ'¬¦ The team played in the state tournament all four seasons he played on the squad ââ'¬¦ On the academic side, Esses maintained a 3.4 grade point average while taking honors classes ââ'¬¦ His most thrilling moment in sports came when he beat the number one competitor in Texas in the semifinal of a tournament after losing the first set, 6-0.

PERSONAL: Son of Caroline and Stephen Esses ââ'¬¦ Has two siblings Marlee and Andrew ââ'¬¦ Majoring in political science at Pepperdine ââ'¬¦ He chose to attend Pepperdine because he "like[d] the coaches and their passion for the game" ââ'¬¦ Stated the "greatest thing about tennis is that it is not timed so it is never over until it is officially over" ââ'¬¦ His biggest sports hero is JJ Watt, " because of what he does for the community, how hard he works and how humble he is."

FAVORITES: Favorite professional athlete is James Harden ââ'¬¦ Favorite pro team are the Houston Rockets ââ'¬¦ Favorite book is The Innocent Man by John Grishman ââ'¬¦ Favorite TV show is Criminal Minds ââ'¬¦ Favorite band is Fall Out Boy ââ'¬¦ Favorite food is steak ââ'¬¦ Favorite sport besides tennis is basketball ââ'¬¦ Favorite hobbies and pastimes include playing video games and basketball and going fishing.