Alex Rovello, Tennis Player Drowns [PHOTOS]: Oregon College Star Athlete Dead after Tragic Cliff Dive, Body Found Hours after Belly-Flop Accident

Reports confirm that Alex Rovello, a well-like tennis player from the University of Oregon, died after a tragic cliff diving accident at Tamolitch Falls in the Willamette National Forest on Saturday (May 11). The popular college athlete jumped from a 60-foot cliff while vacationing with friends over the weekend - and his body never resurfaced. Rovello allegedly slammed into the water's surface on his chest and face - his lifeless body was eventually discovered by rescue divers approximately 10 hours following the tragic incident. A memorial service for the journalism student will be held on Saturday, May 18.

Rovello, a college junior regarded as one of the top tennis players in the country, belly-flopped from the high cliff while vacationing with a group of pals in Western Oregon's popular National Forest. Several eyewitnesses (including fellow University of Oregon athletes) told authorities that Rovello slammed into the water chest and face-first. Onlookers tried to rescue the tennis superstar, but were hindered by the depths of the pool and the 37 degrees water temperature. There was no cell phone service in the mountains, so friends had to run two miles back to civilization before they were able to call for help. Police responded at around 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Rescue teams immediately arrived at the scene and searched the waters until midnight - Rovello's body was eventually found 30-40 feet beneath the surface of the water. The college student's body was transported to a funeral home in Albany.

Police confirmed to The Oregonian that alcohol most likely did not play a factor in Rovello's death.

Rovello's Facebook page includes several images of the popular University of Oregon athlete competing in tennis tournaments, hanging out with friends, and posing with his girlfriend Holly.

"Everyone loved him and he was just always so nice," Rovello' friend Lauren James told The Oregonian. "He could light up a room with his smile."

"The Oregon tennis family is devastated by the loss of Alex," UO tennis coach Nils Schyllander said in a recent statement. "He was an amazing person and teammate and his spirit will live on forever with all of us who were fortunate enough to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, Geri and Jim Rovello, and to the entire family."

In June 2010, the Portland-native was featured in Sports Illustrated "Faces in the Crowd," a section featuring top, promising young athletes across the country. According to The Oregonian, the Cleveland High School graduate became the first high school player in Oregon history to win four singles state titles - Rovello ranked as high as No.24 in the nation and won two Pacific Cup titles.

University of Oregon's Director of Athletics Rob Mullens said in a statement: "Alex was so much more than a dedicated and exemplary student-athlete at the University of Oregon. He was a son, a brother, a friend, a teammate, a leader, whose warm personality brought everyone together and whose contributions to the extended Oregon community will resonate long after today. On behalf of the UO family, we extend our sympathies to Alex's family, and we will honor his memory each and every day."

Thoughts and condolences go out to Ravello's family, friends, and teammates during this time of tragedy.

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