For Immediate Release: July 15, 2000
Contact: Derek Smolik, UT Pan American SID

UT Pan American Tennis Announces Signing of Sioux City, Iowa Native Jessica Brown

EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American Women’s Tennis Program announced on Saturday the signing of Sioux City, Iowa, native Jessica Brown to a national letter of intent for the 2000-01 academic year.

Brown joins the Lady Bronc Tennis Program after a very successful high school career at North High School in Sioux City.  At NHS, Brown was an All-Metro selection and advanced to the state championships.  She finished fifth in the Iowa High School State doubles tournament as a senior, posting an impressive 19-1 record.  Her only loss came in the state tournament.  She also had a strong 8-4 singles record playing in the number one singles position.

Also a strong regional player, Brown was ranked 44th in the Missouri Valley Section by the United States Tennis Association (USTA).  Brown was also a strong volleyball player at NHS, earning three varsity letters and was twice honored as an All-Metro City Team selection.  She also played Club Volleyball for four years in the United States Volleyball Association (USVA).

“Jessica will be a good addition to our program,” said Head Coach Scott Howard.  “She has improved her game over the past couple of years and is now ready to compete at the Division I level.  She will be expected to compete for a starting spot in the fall.”

As concerned about her work off the court as on, Brown was a member of the NHS National Honor Society and served three years on the Student Council.  She was an honor roll member all four of her years at NHS and was the Vice-President of the Teen Advocacy Program.  She was also chosen to be a representative to the Iowa Student Legislature.

Brown is the third recruit for the women’s tennis program to sign this spring.  The women’s team already signed two players, Franklin, Texas, native Eve Nickelson and Los Alamos, New Mexico, native Julie Fife.  The men’s team has signed four players, Edinburg native Eric Propst, United Kingdom native Matt Gower and Weslaco native Brandon Meiners to the squad.