Tennis Announces 2016 Roster Additions
Aug 30 | Women's Tennis
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers tennis team completed its 2016 recruiting class with the additions of Jacqueline Cochrane, Mingxiu Du, Katherine Muzik and Kyra Yap. All four will make their debut for the Scarlet Knights during the 2016-17 season.
"I'm excited to have these four terrific individuals joining our program," said head coach Hilary Ritchie. "They will make a great impact moving forward and will help us as we continue to improve our standing in the Big Ten."
Jacqueline Cochrane
Fort Dodge, Iowa • Fort Dodge Senior High School
Prior to Rutgers: Rated a four-star prospect and the second-best recruit in Iowa by Tennisrecruiting.com … captured the Iowa Girls 2A State Championship as a senior at Fort Dodge … finished the 2016 spring season with a undefeated record in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League … named 2016 All-Iowa by the Des Moines Register … also secured individual state title as a freshman in 2013, Fort Dodge's first-ever individual championship.
Ritchie on Cochrane: "Jaci is an energetic and positive athlete who competes hard in every match. We're excited about Jaci, as she has the potential to contribute to the team early in her collegiate career."
Katherine Muzik
Mableton, Georgia • Johnson Ferry Christian Academy
Prior to Rutgers: Rated a five-star recruit and the third-best prospect in Georgia by TennisRecruiting.com … owned the 26th-best RPI during the 2016 season … finished the 2016 spring season with a 10-4 individual record.
Ritchie on Muzik: "Katherine has a high level of national experience. Her tenacity on the court is going to be an asset to use against our opponents all year."
Kyra Yap
Brisbane, Australia • St. Peter's Lutheran College
Prior to Rutgers: Has experience on the amateur level in Australia … competed in eight amateur opens in 2016 … finished as a semifinalist at both Inverell Armature and Solinco Tour Sunshine Coast Open Championships … produced quarterfinal appearances at both Ipswich and Chinchilla Opens … lettered in tennis at St. Peter's Lutheran College in 2011, 2013 and 2014 … named to the All-Australian team in 2014 … also competed in badminton during senior year and was voted the team's most valuable player … earned Gold Academic Merit award in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Ritchie on Yap: "Although Kyra is young, she knows how to work hard. She's already a solid player and I can't wait to see her grow as a competitor."
Mingxiu Du
Dalian, China • ASA College (Miami)
Prior to Rutgers: Will have two years of eligibility after competing for two seasons at ASA Junior College … helped the Silver Storm to a 21-1 record last season, including the programs first-ever NJCAA National Championship … also collected the NJCAA No. 2 doubles title … posted a 17-2 record in singles and a 21-1 record in doubles during the 2016 campaign … also contributed 10-3 records in both singles and doubles during her freshman season.
Ritchie on Du: "Du has two years of competitive college matches under her belt. On this young team, I am excited for the experience she is going to bring on the court, especially in doubles."
Rutgers will compete during the 2016-17 season under the guidence of Ritchie, who was elevated to head coach of the program on Aug. 25. Ritchie served as an assistant with the Scarlet Knights for six seasons prior to her appointment as head of the team.
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Players Mentioned
