ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Following a successful season that saw the Vikings reach the CCIW AQ Tournament after picking up a first-round win in the CCIW Tournament this past fall, Augustana head women's tennis coach David DeSimone and his staff have announced the program's incoming 2022 recruiting class. It consists of eight incoming freshmen.

"I am excited for this incoming class of Vikings," said DeSimone. "They have accomplished so much in their communities, in the classroom, and on the tennis court. I cannot wait to see them continue to flourish and thrive as Augustana student-athletes.
 
Abby Ablin is from Crystal Lake, Ill. and joins the Vikings from Prairie Ridge High School where she was an honor roll student and played tennis all four years.

Paige Beggs, out of North Riverside, Ill., will head to Augie after playing varsity three years at Riverside-Brookfield High School. She had a fast start at No. 3 doubles this past year, winning her first nine matches of the year to help lead to a winning record on the season. In addition to her playing experience, Beggs also helped manage the boys team at Riverside-Brookfield for two years. Outside of tennis, she was named Metro-Suburban All-Academic.

Hannah Colbert comes from Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Ill. where she was a four-time state qualifier in doubles. In 2018, she was a conference champion in both No. 5 singles and No. 2 doubles. Her junior and senior seasons saw conference championships again, this time at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles. Colbert was a part of a doubles team in both 2020 and 2021 hat won sectionals. She previously served as the team's captain in 2021.

Natasha Gauerke joins Augie from Chanhassen, Minn. where she attended Chanhassen High School. During her time with the Storm, Gauerke was a four-year varsity player, two-time captain, and was named all-conference three of the four seasons. She also earned four academic awards throughout her career.

Maddy Harned hails from Rockford, Ill. and attended Auburn High School where she recently served as the team's captain during her senior year. She earned NIC-10 champion in No. 1 singles as a freshman, and was three-time conference champion in No. 2 doubles. Harned qualified for state at the 2A level three times in doubles.

Mikayla Kelly heads to Augustana from Plainfield Central High School in Plainfield, Ill. after a storied four-year career. She received the team's "Most Improved" award during her sophomore season after jumping from JV No. 1 doubles to the top singles player on varsity. During her junior season, she was first in conference and a state qualifier who placed second in sectionals that year. Kelly finished second in conference her senior season and received the "Outstanding Wildcat" award that year as well.

Maitreyi Shrikhande, a Quad Cities local from Davenport Central High School in Davenport, Iowa will join the Vikings after qualifying for state her senior season at the No. 1 singles position. She heads to Augie after serving as her high school team's captain last season and competing at the No. 1 spots in singles and doubles all four years.

Hattie Timmerman joins Augustana from Metamora High School in Metamora, Ill. She was a conference champion and sectional champion in No. 1 singles during her time there and was a member of the All-Conference team.