Women's Tennis Signs Four During Early Signing Period

SPRINGFIELD, IL - University of Illinois Springfield tennis coach Tom Rees announced the signing of four players to the women's tennis team Monday. The early signing period began last Wednesday and closes this Wednesday.

Hannah Blythe (Vandalia, Ill.), Kena Bere (Lincoln, Ill.), Kaitlyn Thornhill (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Maegan Flight (Charleston, Ill.) will join the Prairie Stars for the 2016-17 season.

The Prairie Stars wrapped up the 2015 fall season back on October 10 with a 7-2 win against Oakland City.

	Hannah Blythe Vandalia, Ill. \| Vandalia Community High School Highlights Played at number one singles all four years ... qualified for the state tournament in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons ... won the conference singles tournament in her final three seasons after placing third as a freshman ... earned tournament titles at the Saluki Junior/Adult Open (2013, 2014), the Mattoon Junior Classic (2015) and the Frog Island Junior Open (2014, 2015) ... plans to study Coach Rees: "Hannah possesses exceptional technical skills and an incredible desire to compete on the court. In combining these qualities, Hannah makes herself very tough to beat and really leaves it all out there. She will be another player that flourishes in our daily training environment and certainly has her best tennis ahead of her in college."
	Kena Bere Lincoln, Ill. \| Lincoln Community High School Highlights Posted a singles record of 21-6 and a doubles record of 14-3 in 2015 ... qualified for the state tournament in the Bloomington sectional as the number two singles player ... served as the president of the National Honors Society ... plans to study Legal Studies. Coach Rees: "It has really been a pleasure getting to know Kena over the last few months. She is the type of person that will bring a smile to all those around her. Kena was a late comer to tennis and, in spite of this, has achieved massive success at the high school level. Kena will bring great athleticism to the team, and I have no doubt that her game will continue to augment in college."
	Kaitlyn Thornhill Alpharetta, Ga. \| Alpharetta High High School Highlights Ranked in the top 30 in the state of Georgia ... was named to the honor roll in her first three years ... earned her team's most improved award ... helped her team become region champions and finished runner-up at the state tournament ... plans to study Accounting. Coach Rees: "We are very fortunate to have Kaitlyn joining us next Fall. She brings with her a wealth of high level experience and has had a very successful junior career in one of the toughest sections of the country for junior tennis. Kaitlyn holds a great love and passion for the sport of tennis, she rarely misses a day of practice, and I have no doubt that she will continue to push herself and all those around her in college to reach the next level."
	Maegan Flight Charleston, Ill. \| Charleston High High School Highlights Ranked number one in the mid-south Illinois region ... won 16 tournament championships and qualified for the state tournament in each of her four years ... did not drop a set during the regular season of her senior year on her way to a 19-0 record ... as a senior, she was the 2015 Mattoon Tournament Singles champion and the Apollo Conference and Sectionals champion Coach Rees: "I am delighted to have Maegan joining us next Fall. Her tennis record speaks for itself. She did not lose a single set this year in high school competition until the State tournament, and is the top ranked player from Mid-South Illinois. Her game is based around unwavering consistency, she is extremely tough to break down, which will make her transition to the college game very smooth."

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	Hannah Blythe Vandalia, Ill. \| Vandalia Community High School Highlights Played at number one singles all four years ... qualified for the state tournament in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons ... won the conference singles tournament in her final three seasons after placing third as a freshman ... earned tournament titles at the Saluki Junior/Adult Open (2013, 2014), the Mattoon Junior Classic (2015) and the Frog Island Junior Open (2014, 2015) ... plans to study Coach Rees: "Hannah possesses exceptional technical skills and an incredible desire to compete on the court. In combining these qualities, Hannah makes herself very tough to beat and really leaves it all out there. She will be another player that flourishes in our daily training environment and certainly has her best tennis ahead of her in college."
	Kena Bere Lincoln, Ill. \| Lincoln Community High School Highlights Posted a singles record of 21-6 and a doubles record of 14-3 in 2015 ... qualified for the state tournament in the Bloomington sectional as the number two singles player ... served as the president of the National Honors Society ... plans to study Legal Studies. Coach Rees: "It has really been a pleasure getting to know Kena over the last few months. She is the type of person that will bring a smile to all those around her. Kena was a late comer to tennis and, in spite of this, has achieved massive success at the high school level. Kena will bring great athleticism to the team, and I have no doubt that her game will continue to augment in college."
	Kaitlyn Thornhill Alpharetta, Ga. \| Alpharetta High High School Highlights Ranked in the top 30 in the state of Georgia ... was named to the honor roll in her first three years ... earned her team's most improved award ... helped her team become region champions and finished runner-up at the state tournament ... plans to study Accounting. Coach Rees: "We are very fortunate to have Kaitlyn joining us next Fall. She brings with her a wealth of high level experience and has had a very successful junior career in one of the toughest sections of the country for junior tennis. Kaitlyn holds a great love and passion for the sport of tennis, she rarely misses a day of practice, and I have no doubt that she will continue to push herself and all those around her in college to reach the next level."
	Maegan Flight Charleston, Ill. \| Charleston High High School Highlights Ranked number one in the mid-south Illinois region ... won 16 tournament championships and qualified for the state tournament in each of her four years ... did not drop a set during the regular season of her senior year on her way to a 19-0 record ... as a senior, she was the 2015 Mattoon Tournament Singles champion and the Apollo Conference and Sectionals champion Coach Rees: "I am delighted to have Maegan joining us next Fall. Her tennis record speaks for itself. She did not lose a single set this year in high school competition until the State tournament, and is the top ranked player from Mid-South Illinois. Her game is based around unwavering consistency, she is extremely tough to break down, which will make her transition to the college game very smooth."