May 8, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's tennis team and the KSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics are proud to announce the signing of Russian standout Alena Sergeychik to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Owls beginning in the 2008-09 season.

"We are extremely excited to have Alena join our program," said Kennesaw State head coach Brandon Padgett on his most recent recruit. "I feel like she has the opportunity to make an immediate impact in our line-up if she comes to KSU ready to play, and I am confident that she will be prepared."

Sergeychik will join the Owls after a stellar junior career on the Russian circuit where she competed in a number of Russian National tournaments, led by a victory in the 2007 Moscow championships.

She made deep runs into multiple other Russian National events, including runner-up finishes in both doubles and singles at the 2006 Moscow tournament, and third place finishes in 2007 in Moscow and Balashikha.

She also turned in impressive finishes in city championships during her junior career, making it to the St. Petersburg quarterfinals in 2007 and the Sochi City Championship semifinals in 2005.

"Alena strikes the ball beautifully, and has excellent footwork and foot speed," added Padgett. "It will be interesting to see how quickly she adjusts to the college game."

Proving that she is an all-around athlete as well as a stellar student, the 5-foot-9-inch Moscow product was a 2006 track champion in the 60 m, a 2005 1k runner-up, and currently holds a 3.47 GPA at her English language school in Russia.

Sergeychik will be looked upon to help fill the void left by the Owls four seniors who departed after the 2007-08 season.