Women's Tennis Adds Three Student-Athletes
Story Links
Aug. 2, 2013
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia women’s tennis program has added three student-athletes for the 2013-14 season, head coach Mark Guilbeau announced Friday (August 2).
Rachel Pierson (Princeton, N.J.) and Marie-Ambroisine Faure (France) have inked National Letters of Intent, while Danielle Collins (St. Petersburg, Fla.) has transferred to Virginia from the University of Florida.
“We are extremely happy and fortunate to have Danielle, Marie and Rachel joining our program and the University of Virginia,” Guilbeau said. “These three young ladies are very determined and possess the highest standards for achieving their goals. I speak for the entire team in saying that we can’t wait for their arrival and for them to join our program.
“Coach [Troy] Porco and I are very excited to begin working on the courts with each of them, as well as having a returning group of players that is ready to do all that it takes to have a great season ahead,” Guilbeau added. “This team deserves the best success and we will work hard to make all of their goals achievable. I would like to thank Danielle, Marie, Rachel and their parents for all of the work they have already put in to make it possible for us to have them join the UVa women’s tennis program and university.”
Collins, who transferred to Virginia after one season at Florida, posted a 24-8 singles record and 20-15 doubles mark for the Gators last season. Collins ranked as high as No. 22 in the ITA singles rankings and No. 15 in doubles with ITA National Player of the Year Lauren Embree. Collins ranked No. 2 nationally in the 2011 and 2012 Recruiting Rankings by TennisRecruiting.net.
“I feel so blessed and fortunate to be apart of such an incredible university, amazing group of girls, and have the privilege of working with two world class coaches,” Collins said. “I really look forward to representing UVa, and helping lead this team to future ACC and national titles. I am really determined to work, fight and compete harder than anyone in the country. I hope to make UVa proud on the court and also in the classroom.”
Pierson, who ranked No. 12 nationally in the 2012 Recruiting Rankings by TennisRecruiting.net, is currently No. 10 in the 2013 rankings. Pierson has claimed three Girls 18 singles titles, including the USTA Regional Tournament Segment (Spring, Texas), USTA National Open (Waco, Texas) and USTA National Open (Midland, Texas). In addition, Pierson and partner Madison Westby advanced to the doubles finals of a USTA Pro Circuit $10K event in Austin, Texas. Pierson was named MVP of the USTA Girls 18 National Team Championships after winning all four of her No. 1 singles matches and three of four doubles contests for the Middle States team.
“It’s such a privilege to attend and play tennis at the University of Virginia,” Pierson said. “It’s such an amazing school. The tennis team has had such a great year and I’ve been working hard so that I’ll be ready to contribute next fall. I can’t wait!”
Faure has been ranked as high as No. 298 in the International Tennis Federation Junior Rankings. Faure captured singles titles at the RUC Tennis International Junior Open (2012), the Clermont-Ferrand Junior Tournament (2011) and Espoirs Poitou Charentes (2010).
“We only have few opportunities in one life, so we need to take all of them,” Faure said. “UVa is my opportunity, and I will not let it go.”