UNCG women's tennis signs three to NLIs

GREENSBORO, NC – UNC Greensboro women's tennis coach Jeff Trivette has received three signed commitments through the National Letter of Intent process, signing Alex Whitehead, Alexandra Skripkina, and Annette Rios to enroll next fall.

Whitehead is a native of Melbourne, Australia where she attends Star of the Sea College Gardenvale. She is ranked No. 21 among under-18 players in Australia and has nearly cracked the national Top 100 for all ages. She also plays soccer and cricket in her native Australia and will join fellow countrywoman Lucy Dougherty, who just completed an outstanding freshman season at UNCG.

Skripkina is a native of Kiev, Ukraine. She has been ranked as high as the top 750 on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Circuit. She is no stranger to international competition, playing as a part of the Ukrainian National Team. In addition, her father is a former member of the Ukranian National Water Polo squad and is currently the head doctor for the Ukranian Olympic programs. Last year, she played in the USTA's National Player Development Program, playing in several tournaments.

Rios, who was born in Venezuela and has lived in El Salvador for the past 13 years, has been ranked as high as No. 530 in the ITF Junior Circuit. She is currently the No. 1-ranked player in her age bracket in all of Central America. For the last six years, she has been the top-ranked player in El Salvador within her age bracket. She has been a part of El Salvador's National Team since age 12.

"This is a very talented incoming freshman class," said Trivette, who just complete his 10th season as the head women's coach. "You are always excited to have an incoming freshman who could be an immediate impact player. We feel very fortunate to have three of those 'impact players' in one class. These three student-athletes will have the opportunity to represent our women's tennis program at the national level for the next four years."

The Spartans are coming off a standout season, going 15-6 overall and 8-2 in Southern Conference play. The Spartans return three players from that squad, including Dougherty who went 22-8 overall and a perfect 10-0 in league play. UNCG graduates top flight player Alejandra Guerra, who was in the national rankings as a Top 100 player throughout the season.

- UNCG -