Nov. 21, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's women's tennis team has signed Audra Cohen (Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) and Alexis Conill (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) to National Letters of Intent, head coach Claire Pollard announced today.
This summer, Cohen won both the singles and doubles title at the Super National Clay Court Championships in Memphis, Tenn. As a junior, Cohen was ranked as high as 36th by USTA, before propelling up to No. 9 this year.
In 2002, Cohen won several singles titles in both USTA and FTA events, including the Florida Bush Open. She also carried the No. 1 ranking by the FTA.
"Audra is considered the No. 1 or 2 prospect in the country and is going to make a significant impact to our lineup," said Pollard. "With a huge serve and powerful forehand, Audra is going to instantly make a huge splash in college tennis. We are excited to have her coming on board."
Conill went an impressive 15-0 in singles play last season and led her high school team to the Florida state championship-the school's third in a row since she joined the team. In spring of 2003, she also won the state doubles championship, as well as earned first team All-Broward County (Fla.) accolades for the second straight season.
This year, Conill has made it to the quarterfinals or better in five events, including the doubles semifinals of the USTA National Open. She currently carries a No. 15 ranking by USTA and a No. 3 ranking by FTA.
"Alexis is going to be an outstanding college player," said Pollard. "She is athletic with a great all-around game. Alexis' best is definitely yet to come, and we are excited at the prospect of helping her reach her potential."
Cohen and Conill will be joining a Wildcat team that has won the last five straight Big Ten Championships and is ranked by ITA as 18th in the nation.