CHARLESTON, Ill.  -- Eastern Illinois director of tennis and women's head coach John Blackburn has announced the signing of Abby Carpenter (Wildwood, Mo.) to a National Letter of Intent, as the Lafayette HS standout is set to join the Panther squad for the 2015-16 season next fall.

 "We are very excited to have Abby join our team," said Blackburn.  "She's had established success during in her prep career and is very motivated to keep improving in order to take her game to the highest level possible in college, which are two of the biggest things we look for in a player. I think she will fit in very well on our team and has a chance to make a significant impact starting next fall."
 
A four-year varsity letter winner for coaches Donna and Scott Stauffer, Carpenter qualified for state four straight years, helping her high school squad earn the third place team trophy in 2011.  Also placed fourth in state tourney doubles play to finish her 2012 campaign.

A multiple conference and district honoree, Abby finished undefeated in singles play as a freshman, junior and senior, while also earning Athlete of the Month kudos in September of 2014.
 
She recorded a No. 4 Missouri state rank for 2015 graduates by the prestigious tennisrecruiting.net website, finishing with a 177-25 overall prep record to set the record for most wins ever by a female tennis player at her high school.
 
The team captain and four-year scholar-athlete plans to major in business while at Eastern.  She chose EIU, "because of the great business program, great athletic facilities, competitive tennis team, perfect size campus, is close to home and for the overall perfect fit."

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