Mullins Signs Two Top-50 Seniors to NLIs

Nov. 12, 2009

NORMAN, Okla.—University of Oklahoma head women's tennis coach David Mullins announced the signing of two of the nation's top-50 seniors Thursday.

Whitney Ritchie and Mia Lancaster of Oklahoma City's Bishop McGuinness High School signed National Letters of Intent Thursday and will compete for the Sooners in the fall of 2010.

“Mia and Whitney are going to add a whole new dimension to our squad,” Mullins said. “We will not lose anyone from this year's team and to add two players of this caliber will make us a tough team to beat.”

Ritchie is currently ranked No. 33 nationally and No. 1 in Oklahoma by TennisRecruiting.net, while Lancaster is ranked No. 39 nationally and No. 2 in the state.

“Both girls have everything I could possibly want in my student-athletes,” Mullins said. “They compete extremely hard, have a great work ethic and they are going to be an absolute joy to work with. They are going to play a major role in getting the women's tennis team to the next level of college tennis.”

Ritchie and Lancaster, both five-star recruits, are also ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the Missouri Valley District and have won 5 national doubles titles and one state title together.

Last year Ritchie claimed the Oklahoma 5A No. 1 singles state title and was named 2008 USTA Missouri Valley Female Junior Player of the Year, 2008 Oklahoma Female Junior Player of the Year, Oklahoma All-City Female Player of the Year and was a National High School All-American.

“Whitney is one of the toughest competitors out there and really became one of the elite U.S. juniors in the country this past summer,” Mullins said. “She has a lot of different ways that she can win matches and she is going to be an outstanding college player.”

Lancaster claimed the Oklahoma 5A No. 2 singles state title and recently beat both the No. 6 and No. 10 nationally-ranked singles seniors.

“Every time I watch Mia play she just keeps getting better and better,” Mullins said. “Her forehand is starting to really develop into a weapon and she is a great athlete. I have no doubt she will continue great play into her freshmen year and beyond.”

Ritchie and Lancaster will join former Bishop McGuinness teammates, Mia's older sister Peta Maree Lancaster and Katelyn Connelly, in the fall. The four last competed together in 2008 during Peta's senior season when the Irish held a 122-0 team record and earned the school's tenth team state title. As sophomores, Ritchie and Mia went undefeated in doubles that season and claimed the Oklahoma 4A State doubles title.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Mullins Signs Two Top-50 Seniors to NLIs

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