June 30, 2009

DAYTON, Ohio – The Wright State women’s tennis program and head coach Sean McCaffrey have announced the signing of three student –athletes for the 2009-10 school year. The trio of incoming freshman will include Weymouth (Mass.) standout Amanda Albuquerque, Taylor Hines from Lexington (Ohio) High School and Amy Nini from New Albany High School.

Albuquerque will enter Wright State after a solid prep career at Weymouth High School in Massachusetts, in which she garnered Boston Globe All-Star honors during her senior season. As a sophomore, she helped Weymouth advance to their first Division I South Sectional Final, compiling a record of 19-2 at the top singles spot for the Wildcats.

“Amanda will immediately add a dominating presence on the team in both her level of competition and her dedication to the team,” said head coach Sean McCaffrey.  “She has impressed our coaching staff with her high level of play, on court demeanor and her mental preparation for each point. Amanda has a genuine passion for the game and will fit right in on a close knit team here at Wright State.”

Hines will join the Raiders after finishing her career at Lexington High School in Bellville, Ohio where she was the Ohio Cardinal Conference Player of the Year as a senior. Hines advanced to the third place match at the 2009 OHSAA State Championships in doubles, teaming with Courtney Earnest, falling in that match in a pair of tie breakers. The Minutemen claimed their sixth consecutive OCC Team Championship last season, with Hines claiming the #1 Singles Crown. Off the court, Hines was the Valedictorian of her class at LHS.

“Taylor has had the opportunity to learn under one of the strongest tennis coaches in Ohio, Coach Ron Schaub, at Lexington High, said coach McCaffrey. “Taylor is quite strong in all aspects of her game and she brings a wonderful tennis mind to the court. We are certain Taylor will add a great deal of depth to the team in both singles and doubles this year.”

Nini joins the Green and Gold after helping New Albany High School to an 18-3 team mark as a senior and qualified for the OHSAA State Doubles Draw. Nini and teammate Meghan Buell became the first doubles tandem in school history to advance to the State Round of the OHSAA Draw, falling in their opening match. Nini was a part of last year’s New Albany USTA 18’s squad that won the Ohio State Championships, USTA Midwest Regional and eventually the USTA Team Nation Championships in Alabama.

“Amy is a very steady player and is comfortable in a baseline game or a serve and volley game,” said head coach McCaffrey. “Amy has demonstrated a fantastic doubles game which will allow her to compete for a position in our line-up next season.”

The Raiders will open their season at the Ball State Invitational on September 18-19 in Muncie, Indiana. Along with the three newcomers, WSU returns Jackie Garrett, Masha Peresetsky and Kenisha Webb for the 2009-10 slate.

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