CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Illinois native Jennifer Kim and Michigan product Janelle Prisner have each inked National Letters of Intent to join the Eastern Illinois women's tennis squad, as announced by head coach John Blackburn.

Jennifer Kim, from Granite City, Ill., brings a wealth of experience and rankings to the Panther program, as she has earned a No. 1 USTA Ranking for Girls 18 and under in the St. Louis Section and a 26th spot for the Missouri Valley Section.

“We are thrilled to have Jennifer join us next fall,” said Blackburn. “She is a very accomplished tennis player in both the USTA and IHSA. I am confident she will make an immediate impact on our team this year, but also has the chance to make great improvement over time. She is committed to a great summer tournament schedule and I'm excited to see where she will be at when she gets to campus this fall.”

In 2008, Kim earned Illinois High School Association All-State Tennis honors, as well as being twice tabbed as 'Tennis Player of the Year' by the Belleville News Democrat in 2008-09.

Other highlights include earning 2008-09 All-Conference 'Player of the Year' kudos for the Granite City High School squad, along with First Team St. Louis All-Metro Team honors in 2008-09 as well.

Academically, Kim is a member of the National Honor Society and named as an Illinois State Scholar, as well as currently the Vice President of the Granite City Student Council.

Janelle Prisner is also highly ranked in the Midwest as her best USTA ranking was No. 37th in the Midwest Section for Girls 18 and under, which included wins over players ranked as high as No. 24 in the region.

“We are very excited to have Janelle join us for this coming fall,” Blackburn said. “She has excellent USTA results and a very sound game, and I believe she will make an immediate impact on our team this coming year. She is also an excellent all-around athlete who has been focusing and excelling at two sports. I feel once she spends 100% of her time on tennis, she has the chance to improve at a rapid rate in our system here at EIU. I know she is committed to a great summer tournament schedule and will be ready to go this coming August.”

The Saint Johns, Michigan product captured the Doubles Championship at the 2009 Midwest Open, which is one of the top tournaments in the United States each year.

Prisner, who was recently a tennis quarterfinalists at the Michigan High School State Tournament in 2009, has also had success in the sport of basketball, as a two-time All-Conference member of her St. John's squad.

Plus she bring excellent academic credentials as a member of the National Honor Society at her high school as well.

This coming fall, the two prep standouts will join eight current EIU Panther squad members that finished the 2009-10 campaign with a 6-12 overall mark and 3-6 Ohio Valley Conference record, including wins over regional foes SIU-Edwardsville, Chicago State and IUPUI, as well as league rivals Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech. 

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID