Texas Tech University Athletics
Petty’s 2019 Recruiting Class Earns No. 4 Ranking
June 03, 2019 | Women's Tennis
The Tennis Recruiting Network ranked Texas Tech’s three newcomers as the fourth-highest recruiting class in the nation.
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas Tech women's tennis team earned national recognition as head coach Todd Petty's 2019 recruiting class was named No. 4 in the country by the Tennis Recruiting Network on Monday, June 3.
Tech's strong incoming class of Violet Apisah, Margarita Skriabina and Kira Reuter racked up 296 points in the ranking and finished just behind South Carolina, UCLA and Princeton. A full list of the top 25 recruiting classes can be found here.
"We are very excited about next year's group," Petty said. "They are really talented but more importantly, they are excited to make their mark on this program. Success doesn't just come with recruiting, now we must do our part and help these young ladies develop over the years"
A native of Papua New Guinea, Apisah is one of the best junior players in the world. In March of 2018, she was ranked as high as No. 24 in the world and reached the doubles final at the Australian Open Junior Championships earlier in the year. Apisah also qualified for the singles and doubles main draw of The Junior Championships at Wimbledon.
"Violet's resume speaks for itself, but doesn't speak to the type of person she is. We are very blessed to not only get the caliber of player that Violet is, but the intangibles she brings as a teammate. Watch out for this one; she is going to make some noise."
Skriabina comes to Lubbock from Russia, where she reached as high as No. 649 on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tour. Skriabina is the No. 2 ranked junior in Russia and is currently a member of the Russian National Team.
"To say we are thrilled to bring Margarita in as part of the family is an understatement. She has been successful at the highest level and will make an immediate impact once she steps on campus. To add a player of her level to such a young team is a huge gift."
Reuter hails from Great Britain and inked a National Letter of Intent (NLI) and Athletic Scholarship Agreements (ASA) earlier this spring. While attending the Culford School, a prep school in England, Reuter won three straight British tour titles including the Sheffield British Tour title in Jan 2018 and the Loughbrough British Tour title in March 2018.
"We feel very fortunate to have Kira join our program. She has extreme talent and has had a tough road the last couple of years," Petty said. "I have no doubt that she will develop into one of the better players in college tennis. Above all, she has the personal characteristics that our program has here at Texas Tech. She embodies what it means to be a Lady Raider."
The TRN Top Women's Recruiting Class Ranking is voted on by reporters, national and international tournament directors, referees, ranking chairmen and writers from across the country. The 15 panelists for this voting period submitted his or her take on the Top 25 recruiting classes. Schools received 25 points for each first-place vote, 24 points for each second-place vote, on down to 1 point for each 25th-place vote.
For all the latest information on the Texas Tech women's tennis team, visit TexasTech.com or follow @TexasTechWTEN on Twitter and Instagram.
Tech's strong incoming class of Violet Apisah, Margarita Skriabina and Kira Reuter racked up 296 points in the ranking and finished just behind South Carolina, UCLA and Princeton. A full list of the top 25 recruiting classes can be found here.
"We are very excited about next year's group," Petty said. "They are really talented but more importantly, they are excited to make their mark on this program. Success doesn't just come with recruiting, now we must do our part and help these young ladies develop over the years"
A native of Papua New Guinea, Apisah is one of the best junior players in the world. In March of 2018, she was ranked as high as No. 24 in the world and reached the doubles final at the Australian Open Junior Championships earlier in the year. Apisah also qualified for the singles and doubles main draw of The Junior Championships at Wimbledon.
"Violet's resume speaks for itself, but doesn't speak to the type of person she is. We are very blessed to not only get the caliber of player that Violet is, but the intangibles she brings as a teammate. Watch out for this one; she is going to make some noise."
Skriabina comes to Lubbock from Russia, where she reached as high as No. 649 on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tour. Skriabina is the No. 2 ranked junior in Russia and is currently a member of the Russian National Team.
"To say we are thrilled to bring Margarita in as part of the family is an understatement. She has been successful at the highest level and will make an immediate impact once she steps on campus. To add a player of her level to such a young team is a huge gift."
Reuter hails from Great Britain and inked a National Letter of Intent (NLI) and Athletic Scholarship Agreements (ASA) earlier this spring. While attending the Culford School, a prep school in England, Reuter won three straight British tour titles including the Sheffield British Tour title in Jan 2018 and the Loughbrough British Tour title in March 2018.
"We feel very fortunate to have Kira join our program. She has extreme talent and has had a tough road the last couple of years," Petty said. "I have no doubt that she will develop into one of the better players in college tennis. Above all, she has the personal characteristics that our program has here at Texas Tech. She embodies what it means to be a Lady Raider."
The TRN Top Women's Recruiting Class Ranking is voted on by reporters, national and international tournament directors, referees, ranking chairmen and writers from across the country. The 15 panelists for this voting period submitted his or her take on the Top 25 recruiting classes. Schools received 25 points for each first-place vote, 24 points for each second-place vote, on down to 1 point for each 25th-place vote.
For all the latest information on the Texas Tech women's tennis team, visit TexasTech.com or follow @TexasTechWTEN on Twitter and Instagram.
NCAA Selection Show Media Availability
Monday, April 27
Highlights vs. Boston U (NCAA First Round)
Friday, May 02
Postmatch Press Conference - NCAA First Round
Friday, May 02
Tennis Educational Video
Thursday, May 01