May 13, 2011

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack tennis team will have a completely different look for the 2011-12 academic year, with only one returning letterwinner on the squad. But, SFA head coach Patrick Sullivan bolstered his lineup with the addition of 15-year old German star Dalina Dahlmans Friday morning.

"Dalina will likely be the youngest player in (NCAA) Division I, in fact she will be the youngest player that I have ever known to play college tennis," said Sullivan. "For obvious reasons, that will be challenging for both of us but what impresses me the most about Dalina is that she has already graduated from high school, lived and trained away from home and reached rankings in the open division that would be considered outstanding for an 18 or 19-year-old."

A 15-year-old standout from Selfkant, Germany, Dahlmans has been training in the Netherlands where she is ranked No. 147 in the women's open division. She is also ranked No. 119 in Belgium's open division.

"Dalina is very athletic and can crush the ball, but has barely scratched the surface of her potential," said Sullivan. "She is already playing at a high enough level to contribute to our team immediately and be a very solid college player from the day she sets foot on campus. What I'm most excited about is developing her into one of the best players in the country and helping her achieve her dreams of playing professionally after college."

-SFA-