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Women's Tennis Welcomes Two Netters for 2011-12
Aug. 9, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis women's tennis team picked up two newcomers for the 2011-12 season, head coach Lee Taylor Walker announced Tuesday. Alyssa Hibberd will join the Lady Tigers from Sorell, Tasmania and be the lone freshman on this year's roster. Hibberd is currently the highest-ranked female player in Tasmania at No. 53 in open women in Australia having been as high as No. 47. "Alyssa is an ideal recruit for us," Coach Walker said. "She has experienced winning at the highest levels of junior tennis in Australia winning national championships and has also acquired points on the WTA tour." Hibberd has been very competitive at the national junior level in Australia, reaching quarters and semi-finals in singles and has winning four national doubles titles. "She has managed to accomplish everything with modest training schedule and normal school and family life unlike most of the athletes of her level," Walker added. "While many of her peer competitors may be burned out or maxed out, Alyssa is hungry to learn and improve and is nowhere near her maximum potential. Plus, it'll be nice to have an Australian around, since I had seven Aussie teammates and coaches as a player." Tiffany Welcher is a fifth-year senior coming to the U of M from the University of Alabama with remaining eligibility because she did not play as a junior in 2009-10 after receiving a medical redshirt. Last season, Welcher played solely in tournament play for the Tide, where she compiled an 8-6 overall singles record and an 8-5 doubles mark. "She has experienced winning at the highest level of college tennis already, having had winning seasons playing No. 1 at Alabama and being nationally ranked," Walker said. "Tiffany is a left-handed, explosive athlete and Tiger fans will want to watch her play." In her freshman campaign, Welcher finished the 2008 spring season tied for the team-high in singles victories with 17 and was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team. The native of Clarksville, Ind. also made the All-SEC Second Team after producing 18 singles and 26 doubles wins and being ranked as high as No. 72 in ITA polls as a sophomore. "Tiffany will make an immediate impact on our team for several reasons," Walker said. "She has great character and is just as motivated to be a great person and role model as she is to be a great athlete."
2011 Fall Roster
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Memphis Tigers
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