College Commitment
Countdown: Martin Hooked by Horns
by James Hill, 29 March 2011
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Next August, Alex Martin will be flashing the "Hook 'Em Horns" sign when the five-star recruit becomes a member of the Texas Longhorns women's tennis team.
Martin, from Mount Pleasant, S.C., will play for sixth-year Texas head coach Patty Fendick-McCain, a former collegiate and pro tennis star.
Fendick-McCain captured the NCAA singles title twice while playing for Stanford and before going on the pro circuit, where she was ranked fourth in doubles and 19th in singles. Prior to joining the Texas staff, Fendick-McCain was head coach at Washington.
"Coach Fendick-McCain is one of the best coaches out there," said Martin, ranked No. 16 on a recent RPI List. "With her playing background and knowledge of the game, I knew I wanted to play for her. She picked up quickly on my game when she saw me play. I believe she can help me maximize my potential as a tennis player and as a person."
The talented Martin took unofficial visits to Southern California, Vanderbilt, and Ole Miss, and also to UCLA and Tennessee. Martin made two officials visits - to Georgia Tech in Atlanta, and to the University of Texas at Austin.
Texas came out on top, and the Longhorns coach couldn't be more pleased.
"Alex is among the top American players," said Fendick-McCain, who guided Texas to the NCAA round of 16 in 2010. "She is a level-headed, smart young woman, and I'm sure she will push everyone around her. Alex loves to compete, and she'll be right in the mix with our squad. She'll put up a lot of 'W's' for the Longhorns."
