April 21, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Thursday, April 21, 2005) Redhawks tennis head coach Jay Pacelli announced the signing of Tatiana Rodrigues of Dante Aleghieri School in São Paulo, Brazil to a National Letter of Intent for the 2005-06 season.

"Tatiana is a great addition to our team," said Coach Pacelli. "She is a physically gifted athlete who hits with great pace and accuracy off the ground."

Rodrigues is a highly touted prospect and is considered one the top prep tennis players in Brazil. In 2000 she was ranked 10th in Brazil for age group 14 and under. In 2001 she was ranked 20th for age group 16 and under. She has won numerous Junior Tournaments in Brazil including the 1999 IV Volkswagon Junior Open, 2000 XI Tandy Cup, 2002 IV Torneio de Tênis do Alphaville and IV Alberto de Santo André. She was also a semifinalist at the well-known Matador Junior Tournament.

In August 2002 she represented her country at the Pelota World Cup in Spain.

She then moved on to the prestigious Weil Tennis Academy in Oja, California to train and learn from the best. That showed as she was a semifinalist at the Palm Valley Tournament that year.

"Tatiana is a tournament player who looks to challenge the best in our region," said Pacelli.

The daughter of Oswaldo and Claudia Rodrigues she will fill the void of departed senior Daniela Garcia and help the rebuilding process of the Redhawks Tennis program, a program that won six duals this past season, the most dual victories since the 1997-98 season.

"Her commitment and passion for the game of tennis will fit in perfectly with our core players," said Pacelli. "I can't wait to have her here at Southeast this August!"