The George Mason women's tennis team and head coach Steve Curtis announced today three newcomers to the team this upcoming season. With the addition of freshman Elizabeth Sutherland and Jane Awad and transfer Scarlett Walston the 2014-15 women's roster has 10 student-athletes, and is a young squad with no seniors.
Sutherland, a Wichita, Kansas, native, comes to Mason from IMG Academy Bollettieri Tennis Program where she graduated with high honors and National Honor society. She is ranked 396 on the ITF rankings. She enjoys reading, hiking and travelling. Her father was also a student-athlete having played for the Wichita State football team in the early 1970s.
“Coming from the IMG Bollettieri program, Elizabeth brings a lot of ITF and world class experience,” said Curtis. “She is a power player that uses her big serve and forehand to set up her points.”
Jane Awad is a local product from McLean, Va., and attended Bishop O'Connell high school. She was ranked as high as 120 in the country according to tennisrecruiting.net. She played travel soccer for four years and enjoys swimming, fitness and reading. She will pursue a degree in business management.
“Jane is local player with a solid all court game in which she uses her strategy, patience and consistency to work through points,” said Curtis.
Transfer Scarlett Walston also known as scarbar, is from Greenville, North Carolina. She is a transfer from East Carolina University and was quite impressive posting a singles record of 5-3 and having a perfect 4-0 record at the ECU Invitational last year as a freshman. Scarbar is majoring in biology with a minor in business. While at ECU, Scarlett was all-conference C-USA commissioner's honor with a GPA of 4.0 and a member of the university's honor college. She also likes reading and spending time at the beach.
“Before heading to East Carolina last year, Scarlett trained full time at the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy. She has a terrific court sense and net game which will aid her in her singles matches but will be even more important in doubles,” added Curtis.
Scarlett graduated from Heritage Academy in 2013, and attended J.H. Rose High School from 2009-2011. She earned all-conference, all-regional and was an all-state team member. She lettered her freshman and sophomore year of high school and voted Rookie of the Year at J.H. Rose. During her time in the classroom she earned several academic honors, including a HOBY scholar recipient, Tri-M Music Honor Society, English Award for Heritage Academy, and the AP Scholar Graduated number four in the class.
While being recruited, Scarlett ranked top 10 in North Carolina, top 40 in the Southeast region and top 200 nationally.
“I expect Elizabeth, Jane and Scarlett to make an immediate impact in our starting line-up. They will help to add depth and experience to this young team that will consist of no seniors this year,” Curtis said.
