LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The University of Kentucky men?s tennis head coach Dennis Emery announced the signing of top in-state recruit Eric Quigley of Pewee Valley, Ky. Friday. Quigley is ranked eighth in the nation on the TennisRecruiting.net list of high school seniors.
Quigley comes to UK as an accomplished junior tennis player. While attending South Oldham High School, he has won three Kentucky state high school championships. This spring, Quigley seeks his fourth straight title, looking to become the first Kentuckian to win four in a row since Gary Plock in 1974.
On the junior tennis circuit, the new Wildcat racked up big wins in the Southern Section as well as nationally. Quigley won the 2007 National Interscholastics and Southern Closed titles as part of his four championships this year.
One highlight of Quigley?s dozen wins over fellow highly-regarded opponents was at the U.S. Spring Nationals where he defeated fifth-ranked Bradley Klahn as part of his astounding 49-11 record on the year.
Quigley chose Kentucky over fellow Southeastern Conference schools Georgia, Florida and Alabama as well as Texas A&M.
?We are excited about Eric?s signing,? said Emery. ?Eric has the reputation of being one of the hardest-working players out there. Not only is he ranked as a top recruit but he is a recruit of high character. As we try to rebuild our program back into the top-10, we need players with both character and talent ? that describes Eric Quigley.?
The Cats? latest recruit is familiar with the UK campus already, having played many junior tournaments at the Boone Tennis Complex over the years. Quigley cited the UK coaching staff?s commitment to the team as a reason he chose Kentucky over other SEC schools.
?Eric is a Kentuckian and we feel it is important to show that when our state produces a blue chip recruit that we have a program at UK that will keep them playing at home in the Bluegrass,? said Emery. ?With the recruiting class we had last year, we are putting together a team that can make a championship run in the near future.?
Quigley earned two tennis awards this fall recognizing his achievements and sportsmanship.
Quigley will be honored as the recipient the 2007 DeWitt Redgrave III Junior Achievement Award for the Southern Section of the USTA in January. The award is presented annually to an outstanding Southern player ranked in the 18?s in recognition of their tennis performance and sportsmanship. The Southern Section consists of eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The incoming freshman was also tabbed as the 2007 Junior Player of the Year by USTA Kentucky. The award is presented to an outstanding Kentucky junior player ranked in the 18 and Under Division, in recognition of their tennis performance and sportsmanship.
The Kentucky men?s tennis team opens its schedule on Sun. Jan. 27 at Eastern Kentucky in Richmond, Ky. facing the Colonels and the Toledo Rockets.
