Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Cleveland State University

The Official Home of the Cleveland State University Vikings

Three High School Standouts to Play Tennis at CSU

Three High School Standouts to Play Tennis at CSU
Posted: Nov 30, 2004

Nov. 30, 2004

High school seniors Kristin Chamberlain, Abby Showalter and Steven Wipprecht have signed national letters of intent to attend Cleveland State and play tennis beginning next fall. Head coach Brian Etzkin made the announcement at the completion of the early signing period.

"We have found three players who are passionate, energetic and have a great work ethic," Etzkin said.

Chamberlain, a senior at St. Agnes Academy in Memphis, Tenn., finished fourth at state in 2003, helping her team to the state championship. She also helped the team to runner-up performances in 2002 and 2004. She went undefeated during regular season matches from 2002-04 and played doubles in the Girls 18s' National Clay Court Tournament in 2004. A multi-sport athlete, Chamberlain was a member of the soccer and golf teams. She plans on majoring in early childhood education at CSU.

"Kristin will come in and make an impact immediately," Etzkin commented. "She will be another lefty at the top of the lineup."

Showalter, a senior at Archbishop Alter High in Dayton, was a second-team all-state choice in 2001. She was named to the all-area first-team in each of her four years and was a state qualifier in two seasons. She has an 81-16 career singles record and helped her team to the state championship in 2000.

"Abby is a player with huge upside," Etzkin said. "She has the weapons to build around and should improve exponentially once she enters collegiate tennis."

Wipprecht, a senior at Lakota East High School in Middletown, Ohio, posted a school-record 27-5 singles record as a junior. A three-time team captain, he was named to the all-conference third team in both 2002 and 2003 and was an all-academic award winner from the school. Wipprecht currently holds a 3.7 GPA and plans on studying physical therapy at Cleveland State.

"Steven will be an instrumental part of rebuilding a team that will lose three seniors from the starting lineup. Steven is the `full package'. He works as hard as anyone, has great grades and will only get better as his game matures."

The women's and men's teams will resume their 2004-05 schedules on Jan. 22. The women will head to Columbus for a 6:00 p.m. match against Ohio State, while the men will battle Michigan State in East Lansing at 4:00 p.m.