DANVILLE, Ky. – The Centre women's tennis team has recently revealed their incoming class of 2022, five student-athletes attending Centre College as the class of 2026.
 
The Colonels concluded the 2021-22 season with an overall record of 12-11 where they reached the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) semifinal match in the conference tournament after sweeping fifth-seeded Millsaps on a perfect 5-0 score. The program also highlighted the season with an invitation to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Team Indoor Championships back in March. The Gold and White graduated an impressive senior class at the end of the last academic year, six student-athletes moving onto the next step of their lives (Caroline Dishman, Hannah Doherty, Grace Headley, Elizabeth Joiner, Caroline Lancaster and Katharine Sherman).
 
The members of the Centre women's tennis class of 2026 are listed below in alphabetical order.
 
Kayla Harger | Simpsonville, Ky. / Henry County
Harger brings in a champion-mindset to the program, her resume including two NCKC singles championship victories alongside a pair of Region 8 semi-finalist finishes, both being the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In the 2022 season, Harger was selected on the Region 8 All-Region Team and honored with the Region 8 Sportsmanship Award. As the top student in her graduating class, she also held a role as the class president off the court with High Academic Honors.
 
"Everyone was so nice and I immediately felt at home when I visited the campus." adds Harper, "I love the atmosphere and love for learning that the staff cultivates."
 

Skylar Keesee | Los Angeles, Calif. / Oak Park Independent
Spending her summers back in Louisville, Keesee competed in the Louisville SJTTL 14U-18U on team Anchors Red. Off the court, Keesee excelled in the classroom graduating with the highest honors offered by the program.
 
"I wanted to attend a small college where I could focus on my studies and tennis." said Keesee, "My father and sister only expressed great things about Centre, so they helped make my decision with confidence."

 
Sophie Maddux | Hopkinsville, Ky. / Hopkinsville
A member of the All-State Team, Maddux arrives to Centre with a plethora of other honors both on the court and in the classroom. The Tiger alumni also brought home several tennis honors, including a singles title at the regional championships to earn a spot on the All-Region Team and the Region Sportsmanship Award. Maddux graduated top ten in her class, qualifying for the Principal's List.
 
"Centre offers a variety of opportunities in both academics and athletics," mentions Maddux, "It opens many doors in both professional and personal development."

 
Carlie Mitchell | Nashville, Tenn. / Harpeth Hill
Excelling on the court and in the classroom, Mitchell was a competitor as an individual at the Tennessee High School State Championships as a junior and senior. She also was an honor roll student-athlete for all four years in high school, joining high-level academic groups like Spanish Honors Society and the Global Scholars.
 
"As soon as I stepped onto Centre's campus, I felt at ease and at home." explained Mitchell, "I was greeted with genuine smiles, and the women on the team made me feel like one of them."

 
Grace Williams | Signal Mountain, Tenn. / Signal Mountain
Willaims joins the class of 2024 with an impressive athletic resume, reaching the Tennessee High School State Championships in three different seasons. In 2018, her team won the state championships while also Williams being a part of a doubles title as well. Williams and co. followed up with a state runner-up finish as a team and doubles competitor in the 2019 season. Last spring, Williams finished her high school career as a singles semi-finalist. Williams also was a member of National Honors Society, Beta Club and ran as the class Vice President in the classroom.
 
"Not only did the academic aspect of Centre impress me, but when I visited campus it was so welcoming and kind." expressed Williams, "They all had positive things to say about the school and the tennis program, genuinely seeming to love it in Danville!"