Nov. 16, 2011
ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech women’s tennis team had three standout prep tennis players sign National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, head coach Bryan Shelton announced.
Shelton and assistant coach Alison Silverio will welcome Megan Kurey of Alpharetta, Ga., Kendal Woodard of Stockbridge, Ga., and Natasha Prokhnevska of Wilmington, Del., to the Yellow Jacket team beginning in the 2012-13 season.
“We are very excited about the future of our program with the signing of these outstanding student-athletes,” Shelton said. “We are expecting big things, both in the classroom and on the court from these student-athletes.”
Kurey, the 22nd ranked player in the class of 2012 and third-ranked player in the state of Georgia, was not only a standout tennis player, but excelled in the classroom as well at Centennial High School. A four-year letterwinner, she earned the Coaches’ Award in 2009 and was team MVP in 2011. Academically, Kurey was a scholar-athlete all three years of her varsity career, and was selected to the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society as a junior and senior.
“Megan Kurey is one of the most skilled players in the nation,” Shelton said. “She will fit well into our program as she is an all-court player who likes to volley and finish points at the net. She is probably better known for her doubles accomplishments, but watch for her to be a real dual threat. She has a calm demeanor on the court, but is a fierce competitor.”
Also staying close to home to join the Jackets is Woodard, the 23rd ranked player nationally and the fourth-ranked player in the state of Georgia. Woodard tallied a 47-21 record in 2010-11 and an exceptional 12-3 record against TennisRecruiting.Net Five-Star recruits. Woodard advanced to the round of 16 at the 2011 Girls 18 USTA National Championships.
“Kendal Woodard is probably the best athlete in this recruiting class,” Shelton said. “Standing at 6-2, she certainly has the biggest and best serve in this class which makes her a threat to anyone she plays. She loves to volley and will be a force to be reckoned with in singles and doubles.”
Rounding out the class is Natasha Prokhnevska, the 29th-ranked player nationally. A five-star prospect by TennisRecruiting.Net, Prokhnesvska tallied a remarkable 54-16 record in 2010-11 and an equally impressive 22-4 mark against fellow five-star ranked players. She is considered the No. 1 recruit in the state of Delaware, advanced to the round of 16 at the USTA Winter National Championships in Dec. 2010, and was equally successful academically. She was admitted to the Cum Laude Society for those in the top 10 percent of their class and also a member of the Spanish Honor Society.
“Natasha Prokhnevska is one of the fastest rising players in the her class,” Shelton said. “Not many coaches knew about Natasha a year ago, but everyone is going to remember her during and after her collegiate career. She has not had as much experience as some of the other top players in this class, but she loves the game and just keeps getting better.”
Fans are encouraged to follow Georgia Tech women’s tennis on Twitter, @GT_WTEN, and like the Yellow Jackets on Facebook, GTWomensTennis, for an inside look at the program.
— RamblinWreck.com —
