Cirstea will be eligible immediately as a sophomore for the Vandals in 2010-11. Idaho lost three seniors from its 22-win team in 2009-10 that advanced to the Western Athletic Conference semi-finals.

"Marius should have a great impact on our team right from the start," Beaman said. "He has been nationally ranked for Division I and has been ranked on the men's pro tour playing as an amateur."

Cirstea saw extensive playing time during his freshman year at TCU, starting the spring season at the No. 1 spot in singles. Cirstea won six of his final 11 singles matches, and went 5-1 in Mountain West Conference play, playing over half of his matches in the top three spots. He helped TCU to a No. 52 national ranking at the end of the season, and a No. 6 ranking in the Texas Region.

Cirstea was ranked No. 44 nationally in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's preseason doubles rankings with TCU teammate Slah Mbarek, although the two did not play together during the season.

During the fall, Cirstea notched two victories to advance to the Round of 16 at the Wilson/ITA Texas Regional Championship. He earned his first collegiate victory over a ranked opponent when he topped Baylor's No. 85 Atilla Bucko to reach the Round of 16.

"Marius has a year of college experience, and last season he played No. 1 for part of the year for a nationally ranked TCU team," Beaman said. "When he is playing with confidence he has shown he can compete with anybody."

Photo courtesy TCU Athletic Media Relations