Women's Tennis Adds Signee
12/08/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
Dec. 8, 2003
By Josh Magill
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University head women's tennis coach Judy Auld announced today that Laura Bredniak has signed a national letter of intent to join the Salukis in 2004-05.
A regional native from nearby Paducah, Ky., Bredniak is currently a senior at Lone Oak High School, a perennial contender for the state title, where she reached the quarterfinals in the doubles bracket two straight years. As a sophomore and junior, she was the regional doubles runner-up, as well as helping her team net a team state championship as a freshman and junior.
Auld says Bredniak should bring a solid technical game to SIU, as well as help in doubles.
"Laura comes from a solid program that plays some great competition," Auld said. "She is very fundamentally sound in her technique, and has a great work ethic that will help her continue her high school success."
"She is an athlete that can really help us in our doubles competition," Auld added. "I see her coming in as a lower lineup player to start so that she can get some college experience, but because of her work ethic I think her best tennis is ahead of her."
Auld states that Bredniak, a member of the National Honor Roll, is very committed and hard-working when it comes to academics as well, and should continue the history of quality academic women's tennis teams at SIU. Bredniak was also an all-District athlete in basketball and volleyball, helping her teams to a combined four district championships.
Bredniak is the first athlete Auld has ever signed during the early signing period. The 30-year career as a head coach at SIU says the opportunity was right to bring in such a talented tennis player and hopes she can continue to pull from the solid program at Lone Oak.
"They put out some great players at Lone Oak, and hopefully this won't be the last time I'm able to recruit from that area," Auld said. "Laura will be a good addition to the team."