Cook To Join Lady Pirate Tennis Program
May 21, 2007 | Women's Tennis
May 21, 2007
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Jessica Cook, a two-time all-state and four-year conference player-of-the-year selection at Scotland (N.C.) High School, has declared her commitment to attend and play tennis at East Carolina University beginning this fall according to an announcement from head women's tennis coach Tom Morris Monday.
Cook, who had posted a prep career singles record of 82-5 prior to the conclusion of her senior season, was a part of a state champion doubles tandem in 2004 after finishing as a runner-up during her freshman campaign in 2003. In all, she entered conference play as a senior with an unblemished league mark in both singles and doubles play.
"We are thrilled to have Jessica commit to our program," Morris said. "She is the kind of student-athlete that all coaches look to sign and rarely get - a great athlete who is a proven competitor at the highest state and southern level."
In addition to her four consecutive team MVP and Mid-Southeastern 4-A Conference Player-of-the-Year honors, Cook also played a key role in leading SHS to league titles in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 while winning the school's prestigious Heisman Award. She currently holds a No. 5 state ranking in the United States Tennis Association's 18 & Under classification.
"Jessica moves very well to the ball on both forehand and backhand and has great hands at the net," Morris continued. "I expect her to have an immediate impact in our lineup as a freshman in both singles and doubles play."
Cook is scheduled to graduate in the Top 1 percent of her class later this month with a grade point average of 4.70 which would complete an illustrious academic career that includes selection to the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Who's Who Among America High School Students, SHS Honor Roll and SAT Wall of Fame.
The Lady Pirates closed out the 2007 campaign with a 19-10 dual match record, equaling a program single-season standard for victories which was set a year earlier. In fact, since taking over the ECU women's tennis program in 1999, Morris has now matched or surpassed the record on four occasions (16 in 2003, 17 in 2005 and 19 in 2006 and 2007).
