CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston tennis program announced the signing of Abril Manas Hernandez (Barcelona, Spain/Institut Baix Montseny). Manas Hernandez is the third signee for the 2024 class for the Golden Eagles, joining Abby VanPelt (Austin, Minn./Austin H.S.), and Katie VanPelt (Austin, Minn./Austin H.S.).

"We are excited to add another player from Spain to our Golden Eagle tennis family," said Head Coach Josh Lunak. "Abril has a passion for the game of tennis. She has a strong tennis background with an all-court game.  She plans to major in business and will be a great fit for our tennis program and University."

Manas Hernandez continues a recent pipeline the Golden Eagles have developed to Spain. She joins current Spaniards on the roster Nadia Cases Mundet (Fr., Barcelona, Spain),  Daniela de Lucas Rivera (Fr., Madrid, Spain), and Ariadna Solis Guals (Fr., Santpedor, Spain).

Manas Hernandez joins a Minnesota Crookston squad that went 7-10 in 2023, their best season in program history. Madeleine Schneider (Sr., Gartringen, Germany) was named to the All-NSIC First Team, while Head Coach Josh Lunak was selected as the NSIC Coach of the Year. Minnesota Crookston has a strong squad entering the 2024 season featuring Schneider, Kavya Singh (Jr., Agra, India), Blaike Zander (Jr., Bismarck, N.D.), Kaydance Hinn (Jr., Coon Rapids, Minn.), Cases Mundet, Hannah DeLong (Fr., Sacred Heart, Minn.), de Lucas Rivera, and Solis Guals.. 

The student-athlete listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play women's tennis at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.

Abril Manas Hernandez (Barcelona, Spain/Institut Baix Montseny)

Manas Hernandez is the daughter of Didac Manas and Elena Hernandez of Santa Maria de Palautordera. Her father Didac Manas was a world-class athlete who ran the 200 and 400 meter race in track and field. He was an eight-time National Champion and he competed at the European and World Championship. Manas competed in the 1992 Olympic Games. He was offered as a prep by the University of Minnesota but he couldn't go because he was recruited by the Joaquin Blume High Performance Center for elite athletes. Manas Hernandez plans to major in business at Minnesota Crookston.