JCSU welcomes the new tennis additions: (L-R) Ryan Jarvis, Nichelle Heard, Amanda Pettway, and Rankin Anderson
Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University men's and women's tennis teams, led by head coach James Cuthbertson, have announced the signings of four student-athletes to join their respective team during the 2011-12 season. On the men's side, JCSU welcomes
Ryan Jarvis; while the women's team brings aboard
Nichelle Heard,
Amanda Pettway, and
Rankin Anderson.
Ryan Jarvis is a 5'11 native of Atlanta, Georgia and recent graduate of Westlake High School. During his high school career, Jarvis played No. 1 doubles and No. 1 and No. 2 singles. His team at Westlake advanced to the elite eight of the Georgia State HS Tournament during his first three seasons. Jarvis led the team to the finals of the 2011 tournament. The appearance in the finals is the furthest Westlake had ever advanced in the tournament and Jarvis was the only senior on the team.
Jarvis has expressed much enthusiasm about joining the JCSU tennis team and plans to pursue a major in Business Administration.
Joining the women's team will be
Nichelle Heard,
Amanda Pettway, and
Rankin Anderson.
Heard is a 5'2 native of Douglasville, Georgia and recent graduate of Chapel Hill High School. Heard played No. 1 and No. 2 singles during her four years at Chapel Hill HS. Because of her contributions, Chapel Hill won four consecutive regional championships and competed in the GA State HS Tournament all four years. The team reached the elite eight in 2008, the round of 16 in 2009, and the round of 32 during in 2010.
Pettway is a 5'5 native of Lithia Springs, Georgia and recent graduate of Lithia Springs High School. Pettway competed in No. 1 singles from her sophomore until her senior season. She has competed and been successful as a tournament player on the local, regional, and national levels.
Anderson is a 5'7 native of Decatur, Georgia and recent graduate of Towers High School. Anderson has three years of high school tennis experience at the No. 1 singles spot. This past season, Anderson led her team to the third round of the GA High School regional tournament. Individually, she has been ranked in the top 20 in the State of Georgia.
Anderson has been playing tennis since the age of five. She was selected as a member of the Billy Jean King Youth Tennis Team. Anderson also won a USTA Division championship as a member of the Washington Park Tennis Team.
Hopefully, these new additions will help JCSU continue to climb the championship ladder. Both the men's and women's team advanced to the semifinal round of the 2011 CIAA Tennis Tournaments before facing elimination.
