Local Peachtree Corners Girls Help Wesleyan Make a Run at the State Title

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The Wesleyan School (Peachtree Corners) has four seniors leading the way towards their state title run this year and three of those four seniors live in Peachtree Corners – Kaitlin English, Katie McLaughlin, and Leila Jordan. These seniors are re-writing the record books at Wesleyan.

In January 2012, Katilin, Katie and Savannah Strickland, all freshmen at Wesleyan, were all just hoping to make the Wesleyan varsity tennis team. Not only did all three make the team, but they all played vital roles as starters in the State Finals finishing as the State Runner-Up that year. 2012 was just the beginning for these three tennis stars. Katilin, now a senior, has played one doubles since freshman year. Katie, also a senior, has played two doubles since freshman year. Savannah, the third four year starter, has played all three singles lines during her four years. In 2013, Leila Jordan joined the Wesleyan team as a sophomore and has played one doubles with Kaitlin ever since. These four seniors just keep winning. The Wesleyan team again finished as State Runner-Up in 2014. This year they just finished Region play undefeated and are a mission to win the State title. If they succeed, it will be the first Wesleyan girls tennis state title since 2001. The Region tournament is April 14-15 at Wesleyan.

Kaitlin and Katie have grown up playing tennis together since the age of 8 at Peachtree Station Swim & Tennis (PSST). They played on ALTA teams together, USTA teams together, and in T2 leagues together. So, it was no surprise to most that they continued playing together on the Wesleyan tennis team. The Director of Tennis at PSST, Paul Bartholomai, smiles from ear to ear when you mention the PSST girls that currently play or have played for the Wesleyan tennis team recently -- Kaitlin, Katie, Jenny Van Laeke, and Katie Van Laeke (who graduated last year). “I’ve watched those girls grow up and it’s been a pleasure coaching them over the years. I’m excited for them and the Wesleyan tennis team.”

The record books at Wesleyan are being re-written by these girls. Savannah is going to finish her career with the most singles victories in Wesleyan history. She already owns the record for most singles victories in a season. Kaitlin is going to finish her career with the most doubles victories in Wesleyan history. Kaitlin and Leila already own the record for doubles victories as a team. A record they have been adding to all season. Katie is second in the record books for doubles victories as a team (with Katie Van Laeke). Kaitlin/Leila and Katie/Katie are tied for the record for doubles victories as a team in a season.

To make things even more fun, Savannah’s sister (Sophia Strickland) plays the one singles line for Wesleyan. So, two of the three singles lines are locked down by the Strickland sisters. Sophia, now a junior, was named to the Gwinnett Daily Post 2015 Super Six tennis team and has played one singles since her freshman year. The third singles player is super sophomore Lauren Alexander. Lauren and Sophia play tournaments all around the southeast. Sophia and Lauren are sure to make a run at breaking Savannah’s singles records at Wesleyan.

Bottom line – the Wesleyan girls tennis team is on a roll and on a mission to capture the state title. The whole time they are having a blast!

Varsity Girls:

• Kaitlin English (12th)
• Leila Jordan (12th)
• Katie McLaughlin (12th)
• Savannah Strickland (12th)
• Bailey Borreson (11th)
• Sophia Strickland (11th)
• Jenny Van Laeke (11th)
• Lauren Alexander (10th)
• Samantha Laurite (10th)
• Makena Renz (10th)
• Elizabeth Bruehl (9th)
• Harrison Feininger (9th)
• Sarah Moon (9th)

Varsity Girls Coaches:

• Coach Mary Wilson Schill
• Coach Shellie Salazar