Collins Signs Letter-Of-Intent To Join Lady Pirate Tennis
November 27, 2007 | Women's Tennis
Nov. 27, 2007
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Natalie Collins, a two-time state 4A doubles champion and nationally-ranked United States Tennis Association (USTA) player from Vero Beach, Fla., has signed a letter-of-intent to join the East Carolina program beginning in the fall of 2008 according to an announcement from head coach Tom Morris.
Through her junior season at Vero Beach High School, Collins has not lost a match in singles or doubles regular season play. Designated as a co-captain the past two seasons, she has led her squad to three consecutive district titles, two regional championships, two state championship appearances and a state title. Individually, Collins has earned three district singles and doubles championships, two regional singles crowns, one regional doubles title and two state doubles championships. Additionally, she has been named the Scripps Newspaper Tennis Athlete-of-the-Year for the past three seasons.
"We are thrilled to have Natalie Collins commit to join our program next year," Morris said. "She has shown that she is very competitive at the state, regional and national level, and will make an immediate impact in our lineup in both singles and doubles as a freshman. Natalie is an extremely talented athlete who is currently ranked No. 84 nationally. I believe she will continue to improve throughout her college career. She is also a strong student, with a GPA of 3.4. Our program has been steadily improving over the past few years and it is clear that this trend will continue with the commitment of Natalie Collins to our team. I am looking forward to having her with us."
Collins currently resides in the top 10 of both the singles and doubles charts in Florida. In 2005, she was the USTA Florida State Closed consolation champion. A year later, Collins took the championship of the Florida Section 18s mixed doubles draw. Additionally, she reached the quarterfinals of the Southern Open G18 bracket while playing her way to the consolation semifinal.
Collins teamed with her father Tom in 2005 to win the Florida Sectional Father/Daughter championship as the pair received the No. 1 ranking in the state. They are two-time finalists in the USTA National Father/Daughter Tournaments and were ranked second nationally in 2006.
