HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Alabama in Huntsville women's tennis team received a big boost on Tuesday,
with the signing of high school-standout Abby Burks to the 2013-14 roster.
Burks will graduate from Arab High School in Arab, Ala., in May of 2013. She will then take her talents to Huntsville and
wear the Charger uniform next fall. Burks is the first women's signee for Head Coach Daniel Finn.
“Abby is an outstanding tennis player with a huge upside. She has been very well coached since her youth and has all the necessary attributes and skills to thrive at this level of college tennis,” said Finn.
The 18th-ranked player in the state has been a varsity tennis player since the seventh grade, playing as the school's No. 1 in singles and doubles since the eighth grade. She has compiled a varsity record of 106-40 and has been the Class 5A Section 4 singles and doubles champion and/or runner-up for four straight years.
In Finn's first season as head coach, he hopes to build a program that he feels has a lot of potential. Signing a standout individual to build a program around like Burks is a perfect start to the young coach's career.
“Just like with any student-athlete, there will be growing pains, but players like Abby will fit into our system here and become a great tennis player. She has had great family support and I cannot say enough of how excited I am for the future of this tennis program and Abby's career here at UAH,” Finn continued.
Burks awards and accomplishments are extensive, here is a list of Burks' USTA titles at Arab High School:
2012 Pell City Summer Classic singles champion
2012 Decatur Summertime Blues doubles champion
2012 Hunter Stephen's Memorial singles/doubles runner-up
2012 Point Mallard Dog Days of Summer doubles champion
2011 Linda Stewart Memorial singles champion
2011 Hampton Cove Classic singles champion
2011 Alabama State Closed doubles runner-up
2010 Hampton Cove Spring Classic singles champion
2010 Decatur Summer Sizzler singles champion
2010 Point Mallard Halloween singles champion
2009 Hampton Cove Summer Classic singles champion
Burks plans on pursuing a nursing degree from UAH when she begins her career for the Blue and White in Fall 2013.
