STARKVILLE, Miss. – With the start of the 2009 season just one week away, the Mississippi State women's tennis team received a jump start to 2010 this week, as Zion Lutheran High School senior Danielle Terpko signed a national letter-of-intent to play with the Lady Bulldogs next fall.
 
"After my visit to Mississippi State, I was so impressed by Coach Lane, the great people and their facilities," says Terpko. "I knew that this was the place for me."
 
Known as "the tennis girl" around her high school campus, the 17-year-old Terpko comes to State after a stellar career in the state of Florida. Consistently ranked in the top 100 throughout her career by tennisrecruiting.com, Terpko comes to MSU as the 95th-ranked prospect in the country, including a #20 ranking in Florida.
 
Selected five times to play for Team Florida at the United States Tennis Association's national event, Terpko has competed nationally in tournaments throughout 10 different states. She holds an overall record of 33-35 in her tennis career, including a combined 17 wins over four- and five-star prospects from around the nation.
 
The Pompano Beach native will join the Lady Bulldogs in the fall of 2009.
 
Mississippi State will open its 2009 dual match season Jan. 24 against North Texas in Lubbock, Tex.