Bama Women?s Tennis Inks Two Prep Stars
11/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.-The University of Alabama women's tennis team signed two athletes to national letters of intent, which are set to compete for the Crimson Tide beginning in the fall of 2008. Head coach Jenny Mainz added Courtney McLane of Lawrenceville, Ga. and Taylor Lindsey from Vestavia Hills.
"We are thrilled with the signing of Courtney McLane and Taylor Lindsey to the 2008-09 Alabama women's tennis team," said Mainz. "Courtney and Taylor are going to be exceptional ambassadors for The University of Alabama in years to come. They possess the qualities we have identified as being representative in our women's tennis program; character, integrity, high standards and class."
McLane, a stand-out at Brookwood High School, was the Georgia State runner-up in 2006 and 2007 and led her team to three consecutive regional championships from 2005-2007. The two-time Player of the Year remains undefeated as the No. 1 singles player for Brookwood under the guidance of her head coach and mother Angie McLane.
"Courtney will prove to be an integral part of the Crimson Tide tennis program," Mainz said. "She has so much untapped potential and plays with much athleticism and authority. Courtney is a stout competitor while maintaining poise. She handles herself professionally in pressure situations. I am impressed with her ability to elevate her game in demanding positions."
In her junior career McLane won the 2007 Peach State Junior Tennis Classic, the 2007 Southern Open and the 2007 Georgia Junior Qualifier in singles and doubles. To add to her list of accomplishments, the 29th ranked recruit by tennisrecruiting.net was a member of the Davis Cup team and held a No. 1 ranking in Georgia. The 2006 Southern Open doubles champion ranked No. 5 in the Southeast and No. 56 in the nation.
Among her list of athletic accomplishments, McLane is an outstanding student and currently holds a 3.96 cumulative GPA and is 31 out of 739 students. McLane plans to major in Communications at the University of Alabama.
Lindsey, a native of Vestavia Hills, Ala., is one of Alabama's top junior tennis players. As a junior at Vestavia High School, she led her team to the Alabama 6A state team championship in 2007 and went on to become the state champion in singles and doubles. To add to her high school accomplishments Lindsey was selected the Alabama Tennis Player of the Year in 2006 and the Birmingham News Player of the Year in 2007.
"Taylor is going to be a considerable asset to our program due to her enthusiasm and unmatched work ethic," Mainz said. "She is passionate about the game of tennis and is intent on making a profound impact in our tennis program. I admire her tenacity and competitive spirit."
Lindsey is currently ranked as the 56th top recruit by tennisrecruiting.net and is the second-ranked player in Alabama. During her stand-out junior career, the Alabama native won three Southern Designateds in 2006. Lindsey made appearances in the semi-final matches of Super National Doubles in 2005 and Southern Closed and Peach State in 2007. She also made the finals in the 2005 National Open tournament.
A member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Lindsey has a cumulative 3.87 GPA and currently ranks in the top 25 percent of her senior class.
"This is a meaningful time for our UA women's tennis program as we have just signed two of the best players in the country," said Mainz. "I am enthusiastic that both Taylor and Courtney will take Alabama tennis to new heights and will have promising futures at the Capstone."
The Alabama women's tennis team kicks off its spring campaign with a trip to Hawaii to participate in the Hawaii Classic January 15-20. For more information on Alabama women's tennis, visit www.rolltide.com.
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