Tennis teams announce new signees

May 19, 2004

Washburn head tennis coach Jennifer Hastert has announced the signing of two Ichabod and two Lady Blues netters who will join the teams in the fall. The Lady Blues are coming off their first MIAA Title since 2000 and the Ichabods fell in the championship match of the MIAA Tournament. Both teams just returned from the NCAA National Tournament in Orlando, Florida which the teams reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.

“We’re losing some great seniors,” Hastert said. “We are looking for these student athletes to come in and compete immediately and help up build on a new standard for Washburn tennis that the outgoing seniors helped established.”

Jennifer Keiner, 5-4, Las Vegas, New Mexico/Robertson High School
Jennifer has played No. 1 singles and doubles for five seasons after holding down the No. 1 slot as an eight grader when she was the district runner-up in singles. As a freshman, she was the district champ and the 3A State champion. As a sophomore she was the district runner-up in singles and 3A state runner-up. As a junior, she was the district champ and the 3A state runner-up. She was ranked as high as No. 7 in the 16 and unders in the USTA Southwest section rankings and No. 12 in the 18 and unders.

Alicia Gardner, 5-10, Omaha, Neb./Westside High School
Alicia has played No. 1 singles for three years where she is ranked No. 4 in the metro area and ranked No. 2 in girls 16 and under in Nebraska. She is a four-year letterwinner, two-time team captain and a member of the national honor society. She also plays No. 1 doubles.

Rick Veeshovwers, Weert, The Netherlands
Played doubles with fellow signee Rutger Liegenberg on The Netherlands’ Junior Davis Cup squad.

Rutger Liegenberg, Mierlo, The Netherlands
Played doubles with fellow signee Rutger Liegenberg on The Netherlands’ Junior Davis Cup squad. Gained a national ranking in his country of 170.

Andrew Plum, 5-10, 165, Dallas, Texas/J.J. Pearce High School
Andrew was a four-year letterman. He was a first team all-district selection and was the regional and state champion in singles as a freshman, sophomore and senior. He was also part of a doubles duo that won state as a senior after three trips to state.