University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL TENNIS SIGNS PAIR OF TOP-NOTCH RECRUITS
December 06, 2006 | Women's Tennis
Dec. 6, 2006
 Jennifer Meredith |
 Rosalia Alda |
"We are really pleased that we were able to add both Jennifer and Rosalía," UT co-head coach Mike Patrick said. "They bring a lot to our program and will fit in perfectly with the players already on our team."
Named a "Blue-Chip" recruit by TennisRecruiting.net, Meredith is ranked as the top player in the state of Georgia, the 10th-best in the Southeast and No. 25 nationally. In addition to representing Georgia in the Junior Davis/Fed Cup in each of the last five years, she has also been a member of the Southern Section squad at the Mills Redgrave Challenge the past two years.
The Marietta, Ga., native is coming off an extremely successful 2006 season that saw her claim the Peach State Classic title, represent the Southern Section in the Girls 18 Fed Cup, receive the "Silver Ball" at Spring Supernationals and finish with a 52-17 record. She has earned rankings as high as No. 4 in the nation in 16-and-under doubles, as well as No. 35 in the country for 18-and-under singles. Meredith made her decision to attend Tennessee after considering a number of prestigious programs, including Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina.
"Jennifer has a very unique playing style," Patrick said. "She has great hands and feel and can do a lot of things with the ball. She will also bring a very positive energy to our team."
Alda also heads to Rocky Top as a highly-touted prepster, having earned distinction as a five-star recruit from TennisRecruiting.net. A senior at Westwood H.S. in Round Rock, Texas, she is rated as the fourth-best player in Texas, fifth-best in the Gulf States and 50th nationally.
The 5-11 future Lady Vol amassed an impressive singles record of 70-20 in 2006 and picked up both the singles and doubles titles at the United States Tennis Association National Open in Montgomery, Ala. She also led her high school squad to consecutive district championships in 2004 and 2005. Before inking with Tennessee, Alda also looked at Arizona State, Texas A&M and North Carolina.
"Rosalía is a taller player who has more of a power game," Patrick said. "She has a big serve and a huge forehand that will be real weapons."
