Women's Tennis Inks Three to National Letters of Intent
December 02, 2003 | Women's Tennis
Dec. 2, 2003
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech women's tennis team has signed three standout tennis players to National Letters of Intent. Janet Durham (Corpus Christi, Texas), Cigdem Duru (Istanbul, Turkey) and Erin Hunter (Mansfield, Texas) will attend Texas Tech University in the fall of 2004. Sarize Coetzee (Bloemfontein, South Africa) and Alexandra Zotta (Bucharest, Romania) have signed athletic financial aid statements and will enroll at Tech in January 2004.
"I am thrilled with this first recruiting class here at Tech," said head coach Cari Groce. "The three players coming next fall are going to add the needed spice for this program. Signing two Texans also makes a strong statement that we are going to make this program a reputable one and one that is highly regarded to young Texas players. With a strong reputation, schedule and becoming nationally ranked will continue to help this program become respectable."
Durham, a product of Flour Bluff High School, is ranked in the top 15 in Texas Super Champ Girls 18s and No. 1 in doubles. Durham was the runner-up in the National Open Tournament in Girls 16s.
"Janet is one of the 10 best players in the state of Texas," stated Groce. "She is also part of the No. 1 doubles team in the state. She is a strong, physical player and will only get better once she starts competing in this collegiate environment. We are so excited about her and what she can do as a Red Raider."
Hunter is a four-year letterwinner from Mansfield High School where her team advanced to the regionals all four years and was four-time district champions. She was named all-district and selected Player of the Year by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Hunter was ranked No. 11 in Girls 16 Super Champs in Texas and No. 184 in Girls 16s nationally. She is No. 15 in Girls 18 Super Champs in Texas and No. 264 in Girls 18s nationally.
"Erin is another terrific Texas player," said Groce. "We studied her results over the last few years and saw tremendous improvement every year, and especially when she was in summer play, competing every day at a high level. Erin will come in and make an immediate impact. She will challenge herself and her teammates to get better and that is what we need. I am excited to start working with her."
Duru will come to Tech after playing some very strong competition in Turkey.
"Cigdem is fantastic," Groce stated. "She has a super background and will come in here having played many top ranked players in the world."
Coetzee graduated from C&N Oranje Meisieskool in November 2003. For the past three years, her team was the runner-up in the Amanda Coetzer Tennis Tournament and the winners of the St. Mary's Tennis Festival. She has been a member of the Free State Inter-Pro team for the past four years. In her second year of 16s she was ranked 14th in the country. At the end of 2002, Coetzee was ranked No. 6 in South Africa for doubles.
Zotta comes to Tech after attending the University of Romania.
"I know Alex and Sarize will be coming in January and will make an immediate impact on the lineup and help us add much needed depth," Groce stated. "Alex is a top European player and has a ton of experience at a very high level that we need to become a top 30 team. Sarize is coming to us with a terrific background as she is the top South African doubles player in her country, which will help us out right away. She also has a great singles game."