University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagle Tennis Team Inks Two in Early Signing Period
11/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Nov. 14, 2005
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Lady Eagle Tennis Head Coach Randy Rowley has announced the signing of two players, Stephanie Dellocono of St. Joseph's Academy in Baton Rouge, La., and Lauren Gutterman of St. Scholastica Academy in Mandeville, La., to a national letter of intent during the early signing period.
"We're really excited about signing Stephanie Dellocono and Lauren Gutterman," Rowley said. "I think this is a sign of where our program is going by starting to attract some of the top players in America, and bringing in these two girls solidifies that."
Dellocono is currently ranked No. 1 in Louisiana, No. 10 in 16 year-old girls in the South, No. 20 in 18 year-old girls in the South and No. 110 in 16 year-old girls nationally. She won the 18 year-olds girls Louisiana Qualifying in singles and doubles (with Lauren Gutterman), and advanced to the Round of 16 doubles with Lauren Gutterman at the 2004 USTA National Clay Courts. She was named The Advocate Star of Stars tennis winner in 2004. As a freshman and sophomore in high school, she won the High School Tennis Regionals, advancing to the High School State Tennis Championship both years, where she finished as the runner-up. She has also represented Louisiana in the Junior Fed Cup for four years.
Gutterman singles rankings are currently No. 285 nationally, No. 29 in the South and No. 3 in Louisiana. In doubles, she currently ranks No. 133 nationally, No. 33 in the South and No. 1 in Louisiana. She had a Round of 16 doubles finish at the 2004 USTA National Clay Courts (with Stephanie Dellocono), along with three consecutive round of 32 singles appearances at the Southern Closed (2003-05). She placed No. 4 in singles at the 2004 Spring Southern Closed Tournament and had a consecutive round of 32 doubles finishes at the USTA National Championships (2004-05). She was a finalist in singles at the 2005 Louisiana State Junior Qualifying (2003-05) and has represented Louisiana at the Southern Jr. Fed Cup for the last four years. In high school, she was the Class 4A doubles champion as a freshman, Class 4A singles champion as a sophomore and Class 4A singles runner-up as a junior.
"These two girls are amazing doubles players," Rowley said. "They're both going to bring something special to the team because their style of play is totally different, though they've played well together as a doubles team. They're both fantastic additions for us as a team."