Women's Tennis Signs Three
06/07/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
June 7, 2004
Southern Illinois University women's tennis coach Judy Auld announced the signing of three high school players Monday, bringing her 2003-04 recruiting class to a total of four.
Amanda Taillefer (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook H.S.), Adriana Vela (Durango, Mexico/Guadiana La Salle H.S.) and Joana Hornestam (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Marista Dom Silverio H.S.) comprise the group of players signed this spring. Laura Bredniak, from Lone Oak High School in Paducah, Ky., signed with the Salukis last fall.
Taillefer played #1 singles and doubles throughout her high school career and recorded the second-best record in the state of North Carolina her senior year. She was also the 2003 North Carolina state champion among 18-year-olds in both singles and doubles. Taillefer was a three-time academic all-conference performer and participated in numerous volunteer and community service activities.
"Amanda is really coming into her game and has a great chance to be successful at the college level," Auld said. "She has all the tools. Most importantly, she has a solid work ethic, a positive attitude and the willingness to change parts of her game and work on her weaknesses.
Hornestam was ranked 24th in singles and 29th in doubles in Brazil's 2003 national junior ranking system. She won the singles title at the Valadares Open and advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIC Open.
"Joana brings international experience having played in numerous tournaments in different countries," Auld said. "She has a solid ground stroke, is a hard hitter and a good athlete. She has a great work ethic and should contribute right away."
Vela is another international player who won state championships in her age group in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003. She was referred to Auld by former Saluki and Durango-native Erika Ochoa, who graduated from SIU in 2002 after an excellent career at #1 singles.
"Erika knows the type of player I like to recruit," Auld said. "I like players who are not only talented, but have a good work ethic and are good students. Adriana possesses all of those qualities, and I'm very excited to sign a player of her caliber."
The Salukis finished the 2004 season, Auld's 30th as a head coach, with an 11-12 record.