FARMVILLE, Va. — Longwood Director of Tennis Charlotte Clarke announced Wednesday the signing of three transfer student-athletes set to join the men's tennis team for the 2025-26 season.
Coming to Farmville beginning in the fall semester are Daniel Lopez, Rufus Plane and Ninad Raut.
"We are thrilled to welcome Daniel Lopez, Ninad Raut and Rufus Plane to the Longwood Tennis family," Clarke said. "Each of them bring experience and unique styles of play that will add both depth and talent to our team. Ninad comes from Division I FGCU where he has proven to be an experienced doubles player and tough baseliner. He brings high energy and has strong, top of the lineup experience at FGCU. Both Rufus and Daniel come from top D-II teams Lenoir-Rhyne and Barton. I have had the privilege of watching Daniel Lopez play against us last year and was impressed with his high competitive spirit and IQ of the game. I have coached Rufus at Lenoir-Rhyne for two years and know his game inside and out. He is a gritty competitor and a great leader. Adding these guys into the mix raises our level across the board. The trio are joining a solid returning core and I'm excited to see what this group accomplishes together."
Daniel Lopez
5-7 | 155 pounds
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Barton/IES CTEIB
Lopez played this past season at NCAA Division II Barton in Wilson, N.C., helping the Bulldogs to a 16–8 mark in dual matches and a spot in the league final. Individually, Lopez was 17-6 in singles action and 16-5 in doubles on his way to being named Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year and first team all-conference.
Lopez was Conference Carolinas Player of the Month for March and also named conference player of the week once.
Rufus Plane
Cardiff, Wales
Lenoir-Rhyne/Ralph Allen School
Plane comes to Longwood after three seasons (2022-25) at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, N.C. Clarke coached the Cardiff, Wales native or two seasons with the Bears.
Plane was named to the 2025 All-South Atlantic Preseason First Team in doubles and earned second-team singles and doubles honors at season's end. Plane also picked up All-SAC third team recognition as a sophomore in 2024.
Ninad Raut
5-10
Wesley Chapel, Fla.
FGCU/Wiregrass Ranch
Raut competed two seasons at FGCU in the Atlantic Sun Conference. A Wesley Chapel, Fla., native, Raut played to a 10-10 record in singles action as a sophomore for an Eagles squad that was 13-14 overall, advancing to the ASUN semifinal.
Raut won a state championship playing a Wiregrass Ranch High School under head coach David Wilson.
