Tuesday, 06/12/2012

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Drake women's tennis program garnered some recognition for the recruiting efforts of head coach Paul Thomson as the Bulldogs were ranked No. 22 in the Tennis Recruiting Network's Top-25 Mid-Major Women's Recruiting ratings.

Drake made its inaugural appearance in the rankings and was the lone Missouri Valley Conference school represented in the poll.

The Bulldogs 2012-13 recruiting class consists of Mariel Ante, Jordan Eggleston, Evy Van Genechten and Maddie Johnson, who previously signed national letters of intent with Thomson and the Bulldogs, as members of Drake's 2012-13 freshman class.

"It's always a neat deal when you or your teams' efforts are recognized by other coaches and writers throughout the country," Thomson commented.  "This is a very good class of players, who are all great students, very athletic and eager to begin their college careers. Only time will tell how good they can be, but I am excited about the opportunities ahead of us."

Drake won a school-record 22 matches this past season en route to posting a 22-7 record and an appearance in the semifinals of the State Farm MVC Championship for the first time since 2006.