THE FLATS – Georgia Tech women’s tennis inked three future Yellow Jackets on National Signing Day, Byers Women’s Tennis Head Coach Rodney Harmon announced on Thursday.
“All three signees have very different styles of play and it is exciting to have those types of play coming in to Georgia Tech,” commented Harmon. “We are very excited about this group of players and what they will be able to bring to the team.”
Olivia Carneiro (São Paulo, Brazil/Colegio Saber)
Currently sitting at her career-high ITF junior ranking of No. 48 in the world, Olivia Carneiro most recently won the ITF J200 singles title in La Paz, Bolivia in October. Earlier this summer, Carneiro made semifinal runs at a pair of ITF J200s, and has also captured the singles title at the ITF J5 in Brazil in both 2021 and 2022. Meanwhile, on the doubles side, the São Paulo, Brazil native has taken four ITF junior doubles titles. Additionally, Carneiro was a Banana Bowl semifinalist in March 2023, and was a main draw participant in the 2022 Junior French Open and a qualifying participant at 2023 Junior Wimbledon.
“Olivia is one of the fastest improving players in the world in juniors,” said Harmon. “Currently at her highest junior ranking, she has had tremendous success lately, especially on clay, which will bode well for her playing outdoors at Georgia Tech. A tremendous competitor, Olivia is very strong and hits the ball really hard and clean. We are excited about having her on our team.”
Taly Licht (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Broward Virtual School)
A Blue-Chip recruit from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Taly Licht has been ranked as high as No. 20 in the class of 2024 by Tennis Recruiting Network. In January 2023, Licht was a singles finalist in the ITF J100 Mexico and she was a doubles champion at the ITF J4Boca Raton tournament in October 2022. Licht brings international playing experience to The Flats having been a member of Team Uruguay in the Pan-American Games and Billie Jean King Cup in 2023. Licht currently trains at ONE Tennis Academy.
“Taly is one of the most talented ball strikers in the US in juniors currently,” noted Harmon. “She hits extremely clean and is able to generate a tremendous amount of pace. Taly plays an aggressive style of tennis and will fit well in the college environment because she can attack so well from all parts of the court.”
Scarlett Nicholson (Toronto, Ontario/Bill Crothers Secondary School)
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Scarlett Nicholson has won six ITF junior doubles titles and two ITF junior singles titles since starting on the ITF junior tour and has been a finalist on three other occasions. She recently qualified for the Women’s 60k in Saguenay, Canada after defeating three WTA ranked players en route to the round of 16. Nicholson currently holds WTA rankings in both singles and doubles, sitting at No. 1007 and No. 1112, respectively, and has been ranked as high as No. 173 in the ITF junior rankings. She is a four-time Canadian national champion – twice as a U12 doubles champion and twice as a singles champion (U12 and U14). She was also a U18 singles finalist.
Nicholson will arrive on campus in January 2024 and be eligible immediately.
“Scarlett has a big serve and a big forehand,” Harmon commented. “She uses her height (nearly six feet tall) to her advantage and moves extremely well on the court. She is a big ball striker and an aggressive player who is athletically very gifted. Scarlett will help us significantly in singles and doubles.”
Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2
Looking to build on the success of last year’s Competitive Drive Initiative, Georgia Tech, the Georgia Tech Foundation and Georgia Tech athletics are partnering once again to launch Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2. CDI Turn 2 has a goal of raising $2.5 million in new gifts to the Alexander-Tharpe Fund’s Athletic Scholarship Fund by Dec. 31, and Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Foundation will match eligible gifts to accelerate the impact for Tech athletics. Like last year, not only will gifts to CDI Turn 2 be matched, but so will the contributor’s benefits in the way of A-T Fund giving levels and priority points. To learn more and contribute online, visit atfund.org/turn2.
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