Albany, N.Y. ? University at Albany women’s tennis coach Elissa Kinard announced on Wednesday, June 20 that four student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2007-08 academic year. Alexa Etkin, from Clifton Park, N.Y. (Shenendehowa H.S.), Melissa Coughlin from Auburn, N.Y. (Auburn H.S.), Susan Ma of Parkville, Mo. (Park Hill South H.S.) and Charlotte Tatler from Stoke-on-Trent, England (Endon/Central Alabama Community College) have each made their commitment.
Etkin was a six-year letterwinner at Shenendehowa High, setting the record for most matches played in school history. A senior captain, Etkin was named to the All-Area First Team and led the Plainsmen to the first Section II Class AA team championship since 1977. A Saratoga County Athlete of the Week, she qualified for individual sectionals on three occasions. Etkin, who was named a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete four times at the high school level, was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Coughlin earned six varsity letters at Auburn, playing as the top singles player for the Maroons in five seasons. She was a three-time all-league second team member before earning first-team honors as a senior. Coughlin was the Section III champion as a senior, and was voted team MVP for four straight years. She was also active in USTA tournaments, winning singles titles in August and September, 2006.
Ma was a three-year MVP at No. 1 singles for Park Hill South, winning conference and district championships as a freshman, sophomore and junior. She accumulated an 81-6 record over three-years at first singles, earning Kansas City Star All-Metro first team honors as a sophomore and a junior. A two-time captain, Ma was ranked 185th nationally by the USTA, and was fifth in the Missouri Valley.
Tatler joins the Great Danes after a successful two-year stint at Central Alabama C.C. She played the top singles position as both a freshman and a sophomore. As a freshman, Tatler compiled a 21-11 record, winning the Alabama Community College Conference singles championship, and was also named ACCC MVP. Tatler teamed with Leslie Elliott at second doubles, finishing with a 19-1 record, with their only loss coming in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA National Tournament. She was ranked as high as 24th nationally in her first season with the Trojans.
“I am thrilled with the addition of Susan, Charlotte, Melissa and Alexa to the UAlbany family,” said Kinard, who is entering her second season at the helm of the UAlbany program. “All four of these young women are extremely talented athletes, and I look forward to them making an immediate impact on our program. As UAlbany tennis continues to grow, it is players like these that will lead us to new levels of success. I couldn’t have asked for a better recruiting class, and I am excited for their future in UAlbany tennis.”
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2007-08 University at Albany Women’s Basketball Signings
Name, Hometown (High School/Junior College)
Alexa Etkin, Clifton Park, N.Y. (Shenendehowa)
Melissa Coughlin, Auburn, N.Y. (Auburn)
Susan Ma, Parkville, Mo. (Park Hill South)
Charlotte Tatler, Stoke-on-Trent, England (Endon/Central Alabama C.C.)
