May 30, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis tennis team wrapped up its 2006-07 recruiting with the signing of Marjorie Ondeck to a National Letter of Intent it was announced by Head Coach Charlotte Peterson, Tuesday.

Ondeck is currently the No. 5 ranked singles player (with a 27-14 mark in USTA region play) and the No. 3 ranked doubles player in the USTA New England Region Girls U18 Singles rankings. In the national doubles team rankings, Ondeck is No. 89 on the season with a 5-2 mark.

She had been the No. 1 singles player for St. Joseph High school for all four of her prep seasons, where she was coached by Betty Blake, the mother of ATP tennis player James Blake. Ondeck was an All-State honoree all four seasons. Ondeck is also privately coached by Matt Daly and Evan Paushter at the Tennis Club of Trumbull.

"I'm excited about Marjorie because she is a very polished tennis player," Peterson said. "Her mother played on the pro circuit and Marjorie has been well-taught and well-coached throughout her junior career. She will definitely step in and compete at a high level right away."

Ondeck has been playing tennis since she was three or four, but said she didn't get serious about tennis until giving up soccer when she was a freshman in high school. As a soccer player, she played premier soccer all around the Northeast.

The daughter of WTA tennis professional Beth Norton, Ondeck was introduced to tennis by her mom. Norton ranked as high as No. 20 in the world during her professional career.

"I am very much looking forward to Memphis," Ondeck said. "I absolutely loved the city and thought it was awesome. Coach Peterson and the team were so welcoming and nice when I visited. When I visited Memphis, I felt like it was a great place for me to come and spend four years to achieve my academic and tennis goals for college. I can't wait to work with them in the fall."

Ondeck will join a pair of Canadian newcomers to make up the newcomers for the 2006-07 roster. Earlier this spring, Peterson signed Amanda Brown (Whitby, Ontario) and Dara Toulch (Montreal, Quebec), who will join Ondeck as freshmen at the university this fall. The Lady Tigers will return five letterwinners for the upcoming season, led by rising seniors Alex Tjioe and Christina Wieser. Brooke Cowie will rejoin Memphis for her junior season and Flavia Russo and Ekin Zafir will return to Memphis for their sophomore seasons this coming fall. This fall will mark Peterson's 32nd season coaching her alma mater.