Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University head men’s and women’s tennis coach Michael Cabana announces the signings of five student-athletes to study and play tennis at Wingate University. The five student-athletes will join the Bulldogs for the 2011 season.

Wingate’s newest Bulldogs include three women and two men. The women’s team welcomes Morgan Winston (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Ali Evers (Roswell, Ga.) and Olivia Poole (Boca Raton, Fla.). The men’s team adds Ryan Forbes (Charlotte, N.C.) and Will Connolly (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada).

Morgan Winston attended Greater Atlanta Christian School. She played number one singles for GACS, garnering many honors. Winston was named to Gwinnett’s Super Six, All-County and second team Division 2A two years each. As a junior, she compiled a 16-3 overall, helping her team to a runner-up finish in the state championships.

The daughter of Mike and Marcey Winston, Morgan is ranked in the top 40 in Georgia. She has played competitive USTA tennis since age 14. Off the courts, she is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the GACS Missions Club.

“Morgan is a strong player who will come in and have an immediate impact to our line-up,” Cabana says. “She has much tournament experience. This fact will help her when she first gets on campus.”

Ali Evers played her prep tennis at Centennial High School. A team captain and two-time coaches award winner at Centennial, Evers was a standout in both singles and doubles. She made the state finals at the highest AAAAA level last season. Evers has a lifetime high school record of 37-20 playing varsity four years.

In addition to her high school success, Evers is an accomplished USTA junior player. She was ranked as high as number 38 in the state of Georgia and reached the top 150 in the Southern region. Evers trains at Universal Tennis Academy year round in the highest Excellence group. David Stolle is her personal coach.

Evers is the daughter of Bob and Carmen Evers. A multi-sport athlete, Evers also lettered in cross country at Centennial. “Ali is very athletic and has great potential for growth,” Cabana says. “She will come in and help strengthen our team depth.”

Olivia Poole joins the Bulldogs after a distinguished career at Boca Raton High School. Poole played number one singles and doubles for the Bobcats. She reached the state doubles semi-finals in 2009 and the finals in 2010.

Poole is a three-time team MVP, earning this distinction her sophomore through senior years. She was also the team captain her junior and senior seasons. The daughter of Stephen and Catherine Poole, Olivia has two sisters and one brother.

“Olivia is a very talented player,” Cabana says. “She works very hard on her game. She will help strengthen the team. I think Olivia will have an opportunity for a successful career as a Bulldog.”

Ryan Forbes joins the Bulldog family from Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte. Forbes has played competitive tournaments since the age of nine. He has traveled all across the Southeastern U.S. He has participated on USTA Southern Zonals teams and in the USTA Player Development program. Forbes has been ranked in the top 85 in the south in both the 14’s and the 16’s.

On the high school scene, Forbes played four years for the Knights. He played number two singles and number one doubles throughout his career. In his first year, Forbes was the only freshman in the state to qualify for the N.C. state high school championship in singles competition.

During his sophomore year, his team finished second in the state among 4A schools. The Knights advanced to the semifinals his junior season. In the state doubles tennis tournament, Forbes advanced to semifinals his sophomore year and the quarterfinals his junior campaign.

Forbes received the Rookie of the Year Award as a freshman and MVP honors as a junior. He earned multiple conference championships in doubles. Forbes made either all-conference or all-state all four years. Ryan Forbes is the son of Jim and Patty Forbes.

“Ryan is a solid player,” Cabana says. “He has some big strokes and is not afraid to be aggressive. I believe Ryan has the opportunity to come in and help us right away.”

Will Connolly joins the Bulldog program from Colonel Gray Senior High. Connolly is the Atlantic Champion in tennis. He plays many national tournaments in Canada. Will Connolly is the son of Michael and Nancy Connolly.

“Will is a strong player; he has some power that will help in our line-up,” Cabana says. “Will has the opportunity to develop into a very strong member of this team.”

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery and community service.

Wingate offers 34 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, communication, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past four years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 36 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 45 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.