(Photo: Alex Roddier/WCSN)
Separated by oceans and origin, Arizona State connected them to a purpose. Ranging across three different countries, Tempe has become the medium for the rising trio of transfers the Sun Devils implemented into their lineup this season.
That group, juniors Dominik Kellovsky (B.I.B.S BRNO in the Czech Republic) and Nathan Ponwith (University of Georgia), as well as graduate transfer Justin Roberts (University of South Florida), have already begun to make their mark on a relatively young and inexperienced ASU squad in its second season back since being reinstated in 2018. Last year was the first for many of the team’s players involved in the college game.
The transfer trio gave ASU increased depth for its lineup, and a veteran presence from across the collegiate and professional circuit.
“They’re older, experienced guys with great huge games,” ASU coach Matt Hill said of the three. “They’re playing in the top half of our lineups, they’re pushing guys down [the lineup], they’re filling their roles. It brings a ton of experience and much more maturity to the group. They bring a level of seriousness and discipline to the group.”
This season is Kellovsky’s first playing college tennis, having played on the professional circuit whilst attending school in the Czech Republic. Ponwith, a Scottsdale native, played at Georgia for two seasons, winning SEC Freshman of the Year honors before being dismissed from the team following an arrest on drug charges. Roberts transferred to ASU from South Florida to play under Hill again, as he coached Roberts in Tampa Bay and wanted to reunite with his coach.
While this Sun Devil team might be relatively inexperienced in terms of college matches played, increased leadership presence could very well help alleviate some concern heading into a tough conference slate next weekend.
Homecoming
Bouncing from Scottsdale, to Georgia and now Tempe, Ponwith is the only American player on ASU’s roster. Not only that, but he grew up just miles away from the campus he now calls home.
Ponwith played as Georgia’s No. 1 singles last season. He posted a marvelous freshman campaign, earning the 2017 SEC Freshman of the Year award and First-Team All-SEC honors. He also set a conference record for the most SEC Freshman of the Week accolades with five.
Despite the success in the south, the allure of playing back home was too much for Ponwith to pass up.
“I see a lot of old friends around campus and plenty of family friends around town,” Ponwith said. “Everyone is excited for me to be here and I am excited to be here to see my family and people I grew up with. It’s comfortable and I really love it.”
Hill has also recognized the impact that Ponwith has already had on the team.
“One of the real assets that Nathan brings to the table that we didn’t really notice at first was his style of play,” Hill said. “We don’t have too many guys with his style of play, and it’s healthy for the group to have different varying styles so they can counter each other in terms of weaknesses and strengths. That’s going to help the guys a lot because for some of the guys it’s very difficult to play him because his style is different.”
Ponwith demonstrated strong chemistry with the team early on. ASU’s doubles tandem of Ponwith and Kellovsky is currently ranked No. 51 in the Oracle/ITA rankings. Individually, Ponwith has an even 4-4 record in dual-match singles play, with two of those wins over ranked opponents.
“Everyone has been really nice and supportive,” Ponwith said. “This is a really great group of guys and we’re all really close. They have made the transition incredibly easy.”
From All-for-One to One-for-All
Hailing from Havirov, Czech Republic, Kellovsky entered the new realm of college tennis for the first time this season. The difficulty of that transition was the same that many of the foreign players on the team faced upon arriving to ASU a year ago. There are a lot of new challenges that Kellovsky has faced in this new situation, but as ASU heads into Pac-12 play, things have gotten easier.
“It was rough at the beginning,” Kellovsky said. “I was used to doing things a certain way and didn’t want to change them, but with time we are trying to find ways to work together and understand each other more.”
There’s a certain kind of respect for Kellovsky, a battle-tested player who held a 70-97 overall record in singles and 110-80 record in doubles on the pro circuit. Over the last five years prior to ASU, Kellovsky collected 10 doubles titles in that timeframe.
While he continually strives to be the top in his hometown, Kellovsky is also appreciative of the experience he’s garnered between the professional and college circuit.
“It’s completely different,” Kellovsky said on playing both professionally and collegiately. “I used to have to take care of everything like flights, hotel, food. Here, I don’t have to because we have coaches and managers in charge of that so it’s a huge relief.
“It’s a big difference being a part of a team because you have to respect your teammates and understand them. When I was alone, I did things my way and on my own time.”
Kellovsky knows that his advanced playing experience can lead to a larger leadership role, giving advise to the younger guys regardless of having never played in college before this year.
“I’m trying to be a good example for the guys that might not have as much experience as me,” Kellovsky said. “Trying to help them on and off the courts in whatever they need.”
An Overdue Reunion
Despite being the lone graduate student on the team, Roberts is replaying the role as one of the new kids on the block in a new system for the first time in his collegiate career.
“It’s interesting [being both a new guy and a veteran],” Roberts said. “I was on another team for three years and naturally grew into a leadership position there from being one of the younger guys, then becoming one of the older players. By coming here and being the new guy, I’m just trying to do my thing how I have always done it and lead by example.”
While he may be dawning the maroon and gold for the first time, Roberts already knew the style the team would play with before even stepping foot on campus.
The reason? He already had experience playing in a system under Hill.
Roberts sharpened his skills under Hill’s direction at South Florida. Not only that, but he also trained alongside ASU volunteer coach Dominic Cotrone before arriving to Tempe.
During his time at USF, Roberts was tested in the spotlight, under pressure and in big moments as he helped clinch the Bulls’ fourth-straight conference title last year.
Like Kellovsky, Roberts understands the importance of his veteran role on the team and wants to guide them as much as possible throughout the season.
“I am hoping to teach them to show up here everyday and try to get your work done,” Roberts said. “Try to be consistent with what you do and look up to the standards that Matt has set up for us.”
Roberts is currently ranked No. 97 in singles, according to the Feb. 20 Oracle/ITA rankings. He’s the only Sun Devil currently ranked in that category. On the season, he boasts a 3-5 record in dual matches, including a suspended match.
While the trio of transfers on ASU’s roster might have intricate differences, they share a great number of similarities with the rest of the team’s diverse background, making a cohesive unit across the board.
The Sun Devils are made up of players across nine countries, totaling over 5,900 miles across roads, land and sea. However, they all traversed these obstacles to form one team, representing their home countries in America, and representing ASU in their matches.
