University of Houston Athletics
Tennis Reloads, Not Rebuilds
8/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Aug. 21, 2006
 | "This is a very big recruiting class, not only in numbers, but in the mix of talent and experience. This group could be the key to unlocking this program's potential." Head Coach John Severance |
HOUSTON - Head Coach John Severance announced the addition of transfers Meredith Giles, Leila Salek and Rebecca Franzi on Monday afternoon. The trio is enrolled at UH for the fall semester and will begin competing for the Cougars this season, joining Anna Djananova and Neila Starratt.
"This is a very big recruiting class, not only in numbers, but in the mix of talent and experience," Severance said. "This group could be the key to unlocking this program's potential."
Giles transfers to Houston from Eastern Kentucky where she was named 2006 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year. She compiled a 21-11 overall mark at the No. 1 singles position, winning 18 of her 24 singles matches during the spring season. The Adelaide, Australia, native also picked up 2005 and 2006 EKU Presidential Scholar honors for her academic achievements.
 Leila Salek notched a 34-4 mark last season at Division II Ferris State.  | |
Salek racked up a 34-4 singles record over two seasons at Division II Ferris State. She notched All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) First-Team honors in 2005-06 after being recognized as a Second-Team selection in 2004-05. Salek was ranked as high as No. 8 regionally in Fila Division II Great Lakes Regional listing and made the semifinals of the ITA Great Lakes Regional Championships. She also was named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team in 2006 for her accomplishments in the classroom.
Franzi played two seasons at Charleston Southern and went 8-7 in singles action during the 2006 season primarily playing the No. 2 position for the Buccaneers. She won six of her final nine matches and teamed with Meryam Tazi to earn Big South All-Conference Doubles honors a season ago.
Houston is coming off a 20-5 campaign and made the Conference USA semifinals for the fourth consecutive season. The Cougars also completed an undefeated season at Hoff Courts for the first time since the 1989-90 season and has won 25 consecutive matches at home dating back to a 4-3 setback against LSU on Feb. 8, 2005.
