AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn women's tennis will add one of the nation's top prospects to its 2022-23 roster as Kaitlyn Carnicella has signed with the Tigers, head coach Caroline Lilley announced today.
Carnicella, from Whippany, New Jersey, is a Blue Chip recruit and ranked No. 3 in her class according to TennisRecruiting.net. In the USTA U18 rankings, she is currently ranked No. 7 nationally and has been as high as No. 3.
"From our very first call with Kaitlyn we knew she had a special combination of qualities that differentiates her from her peers," Lilley said. "Her desire to be great is obvious, and her commitment to finding solutions while competing is a testament to her character. She holds herself to the highest standard in everything she does, both on the court and in the classroom, and she constantly seeks out opportunities to learn.
"Kaitlyn's understanding of the game of tennis is well beyond her years and serves as a sound foundation for her growth and development here at Auburn. Her tennis will add value, that's obvious, but even more importantly, she will be an integral part of our program because of who she is as a person. We are humbled and blessed to have her joining our family and cannot wait to be a part of her journey!"
As one of the most decorated juniors in the country, Carnicella has earned two USTA Gold Balls and competed in the Les Petits As world championships. She was a finalist in doubles at National Hard Courts, and she has won countless national tournaments in both doubles and singles.
"I am never looking to be perfect, just to be better than I was yesterday," Carnicella said. "I believe that Auburn's relentless drive to be the best will not only make be a better player, but also make me a better person throughout this new experience."
Carnicella will join fellow freshman DJ Bennett as newcomers to an Auburn squad that returns five letterwinners from the 2021-22 season. Last year, the Tigers finished 22-6 overall, 11-2 in the SEC, and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional.
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