Jan. 16, 2013
Parking for Thursday’s match against Syracuse is available in the Family Housing Parking Deck, located directly across 10th Street from the Byers Tennis Complex. The deck will open at 2 p.m.
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech women’s tennis will open the first season under head coach Rodney Harmon and officially open the brand-new Ken Byers Tennis Complex when the 20th-ranked Yellow Jackets take on the No. 72 Syracuse Orange at 4 p.m. Thursday.
A dedication ceremony with Georgia Tech President G.P. Bud Peterson, acting athletics director Paul Griffin, and Ken and Trish Byers will take place prior to the match.
This will be the first dual match for Harmon who was hired in July to replace Bryan Shelton.
“I think there are a variety of things going through my head,” Harmon said. “We’re excited to get started. We are excited about our new facility and the dedication tomorrow. We’re just looking forward to competing and a chance to get out and play against a very good opponent. Right now, our preparation is all based on getting ready for the ITA Kick-Off Weekend when we have to go to Nebraska.
“It is just a beautiful facility,” Harmon said of the new Byers Tennis Complex. “It’s state-of-the-art, the lights are incredible, the court speed is great. The girls have really enjoyed the play. The facility has everything we need. Aesthetically, it’s very appealing. We’re very excited that it’s open and excited to play there and train there and get ready to play.”
Senior Elizabeth Kilborn, chosen as the team captain for 2013, is the only ranked Jacket in singles play and will play from the No. 1 position. She enters the spring ranked No. 39 and claimed fall wins over No. 29 Ecaterina Vasenina of USF and No. 19 Joelle Kissell of NC State.
“Liz is going to get the tough duty every day and she has to do what the senior has to do and that’s take on leadership,” Harmon said. “She is the unquestioned leader of our team. She’ll set the tone for the rest of the team. She is in a position to play some really good tennis this year against some really good players. She has an opportunity to make the NCAA Tournament in singles. But she also has to play the other teams’ best player every time out. It’s important, whether she wins or loses, that she holds her composure and looks confident because the younger players will be looking down to see what’s going on with her. And as long as she’s confident and composed, hopefully they’ll be confident and composed. We’re expecting a lot out of Liz this year. This is her fourth year here and she’s done a phenomenal job both as a student and an athlete, so we’re expecting a lot from her.”
Freshman Kendal Woodard posted the fall’s best singles record, going 7-5. Kilborn, along with freshmen Megan Kurey and Natasha Prokhnevska each went 6-5.
All Georgia Tech tennis matches are free and open to the public.
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–
