MARSHALL, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State University head women's tennis coach Adam Henning announced on Wednesday the signing of four high school student-athletes to letters of intent to continue their academic and tennis careers at SMSU.
 
Joining the program for the 2017-18 season include Cora Delich (Eveleth, Minn.), Jenna Lambrecht (New Prague, Minn.), Gabby Potthoff (White Bear Lake, MN) and Olivia Watzke (Hutchinson, Minn.).
 
"We knew coming into this recruiting class that it would be very important to the future success of the Mustang tennis program as we continue to rebuild," Henning said. "These young ladies will have an immediate and lasting impact on this program. I'd like to thank my assistant coach, Hannah Still, for her hard work with this class."
 
Delich, a six-year letterwinner at Eveleth-Gilbert High School, was a state singles participant in 2016 and was a doubles state participant in both 2014 and 2015. She finished the 2016 season with a singles record of 13-3 and was named academic all-state. She is also a five-year letterwinner in both basketball and softball.
 
"Cora is a well-rounded and very intelligent tennis player," Henning said. "She has the ability to end the point with both her forehand and backhand groundstrokes. Cora had a successful high school career and has valuable USTA match experience which will make the transition to the next level a smooth one."
 
Lambrecht, was a three-year letterwinner and all-conference honoree for New Prague High School, recording 22 combined victories at No. 1 singles her last two seasons. An academic all-state honoree, she is also a multi-year letterwinner in track & field.
 
"Jenna is a grinder and her athletic frame and quickness allows for her to extend the point," Henning said. "She has the ability to frustrate opponents with her consistent play. She brings a great attitude and a willingness to work hard."
 
Potthoff, was a three-year letterwinner and selected team captain her senior season at White Bear Lake High School. She was named honorable mention all-conference as a senior, recording a combined 27 victories playing both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles during her final two seasons. She is also a letterwinner in basketball. 

"Gabby is a natural competitor, Henning said. "She has a strong athletic frame that allows her to get in good position and setup the shot. Gabby is aggressive at the net and is an intelligent doubles player. She has a lot of potential and we believe her best tennis is in front of her."

Watzke, a four-year letterwinner at Hutchinson High School, played both singles and doubles during her career. A three-time all-conference honoree, she finished her career with 61 doubles and 24 singles victories.
 
"Olivia approaches everything she does with a smile and a great attitude," Henning said. "She has tall, athletic frame that allows her to cover a lot of ground on the tennis court. Her heavy serve starts the point off well and puts her in a position to control the point. Mostly a doubles player in her prep career, Olivia has worked hard this past year to develop her singles game with improved baseline groundstrokes."

Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
 
 

 

	Cora Delich Eveleth, Minn. / Eveleth-Gilbert HS
	Jenna Lambrecht New Prague, Minn. / New Prague HS
	Gabby Potthoff White Bear Lake, Minn. / White Bear Lake HS
	Olivia Watzke Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson HS