Tennis export aces up ranks

SUPER STUDENT: Attending Georgia Tech, where she is studying chemical engineering on a tennis scholarship, Wanganui's Paige Hourigan is moving up the NCAA rankings.PHOTO/FILE

Wanganui tennis export Paige Hourigan is climbing the ranks of American college tennis since she departed these shores last spring.

The teenager received a 'full-ride' scholarship to Georgia Tech in Atlanta, and in her first year at the school has impressed in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"She has already established a national ranking which is rare for a freshman [student] and a high one at that of 54th," said Wilton Atkins, former Wanganui Tennis development officer.

"She has moved up to play at No1 for her team, also very rare for a freshman.

"Therefore the players she is playing against, and beating, are very good to say the least, especially in the top few positions in a team.

"Another interesting fact is that Paige is working well with her head coach Rodney Harmon, who was the USA coach at the Olympics."

Atkins said Hourigan had moved to 54th in the rankings of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) by beating the players ranked 33rd, 58th, 61th and 81th.

The Georgia Tech website states that during the fall tournament season, Hourigan recorded a 7-3 singles record and went 6-2 in doubles with her partner, sophomore player Rasheeda McAdoo.

A highlight amongst this was making the main draw singles semifinals of the Bulldog Tennis Class in Athens, with three wins.

Atkins said Hourigan is undefeated in seven 'dual' singles contests so far this calender year - 'dual' being university vs university matches.

Her most recent series for Georgia Tech was against the University of Tennessee, with Hourigan winning both her singles and doubles to help the team to a 5-2 victory.