June 25, 2018
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-Penn State women's tennis head coach Chris Cagle has announced the addition of three new recruits to add to the 2018-2019 roster. Chelsea Sawyer (Clemmons, N.C.), Gracey Hirsch (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Sydney Weinberg (Winchester, Ma.) will join Olivia Ryan (Victoria, Australia) for the upcoming season.
Chelsea Sawyer is joining the team after playing for the University of Tennessee during the 2017-18 season. Sawyer was a five star recruit that ranked as high as No. 27 in her recruiting class. She went 12-4 in singles during her time at Tennessee. In doubles at Tennessee, she competed in SEC regular season matches, SEC tournament matches and in the NCAA tournament.
"We are excited to add Chelsea to our program," said head coach Chris Cagle. "The year of experience at Tennessee and playing in the SEC will help Chelsea as she comes to Penn State. Chelsea has an offensive game and a desire to compete and win which will help to make our program better. I look forward to getting Chelsea on campus and continuing the work she is putting in this summer."
Gracy Hirsch hails from Cincinnati, Ohio as a three star recruit that ranked as high as No. 203 in her recruiting class. Hirsch had an excellent high school career, gaining All-State accolades in 2016 and 2017, placing in third place in Ohio state doubles in 2016 and 2017, as well as being a team finalist in the state of Ohio in 2015 and 2016. Hirsch was also the Cincinnati Enquirer Division II Singles Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017. She is also the recipient of the OHSAA Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award and Suzie Vokkell Award, both awards that highlight sportsmanship, character and integrity.
"Gracey comes from a tennis family with her brother also playing Big Ten tennis, so she knows the deal," said head coach Chris Cagle. "Her athleticism and desire to compete and get better will help our team overall. I know Gracey is training hard this summer and looking forward to being in our team environment starting this fall."
Sydney Weinberg, from Winchester, Massachusetts, is joining the team as a four star recruit that was ranked as high as No. 124 in her recruiting class. Weinberg trained at the MAC Tennis Academy, a USTA Regional Training Center. During her junior career, she was consistently ranked in the top five of the New England Section. Weinberg was a member of the 2017 New England National Team and a member of the New England Zone Team from age 11 on. She also received the USTA New England Sportsman of the year award in 2016.
"I had watched Sydney a few years back and thought she could add to our team in how she plays and competes," said head coach Chris Cagle. "It will be great to work with Sydney in regards to the strengths she has with her game and also to look to add to those strengths. I know she is excited to be here and we are as well to see the impact that she can make on our team."
All of these future Nittany Lions will suit up for the team in the upcoming 2018-2019 season.
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