Huskers Sign Talented Tennis Recruits

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska women’s tennis team welcomes one new face to the 2014-15 roster and another that is set to join the 2015-16 squad. One recruit, Macarena Olivares, signed a National Letter of Intent back in the fall of 2013 and will now begin her career as a Husker early in January for the 2015 spring campaign. The second recruit, Paula Del Cueto Castillo, also signed her National Letter of Intent and is set to join the NU squad in the fall of 2015.

A native of Santiago, Chile, Olivares signed her NLI last fall in anticipation to join the Nebraska roster in the 2014-15 season. Olivares topped the U18 Rankings in Chile at No. 1 while also climbing to No. 58 in the ITF Junior World rankings. Olivares peaked at No. 578 in the WTA Women's World rankings. Olivares is an extremely talented commit that is expected to become a strong competitor for the Huskers in the next few years.

"We are very fortunate to have Macarena join our Husker family," Assistant Coach German Dalmagro said. "She is a tremendous competitor and a great athlete. She is someone that will help us right away and will compete hard every day for the team. I have known her for a few years now, and besides being an outstanding player, she is a great person with high character and integrity that will fit in very well in our team."

"We are certainly honored to have such a tremendously gifted athlete joining our Husker family next year," Head Coach Scott Jacobson said. "Macarena has already proven the ability to play with people at the highest levels. Her ITF highest junior ranking of 58 and best WTA world ranking of 578 are a testament of the ability level that Macarena brings to our program. Not only has Macarena proven to be one of the best juniors in the world, but also has had incredible success against those attempting the professional tour. Coach Dalmagro did an amazing job and played the lead role in helping us land this talented future Husker. We know with Macarena we are not only getting a tremendous tennis player, but also a person of great integrity, and character."

Castillo, Sevilla, Spain native, is a decorated athlete who will play an immediate role in the singles and doubles lineups when she arrives in the fall of 2015. Castillo notched a No. 929 spot on WTA professional doubles ranking while also climbing to No. 90 ranking in the Spain Open division as well as a No. 35 ranking in the Spain junior division. Castillo earned first place finishes in junior doubles in Andalucia, 2013, as well as the WTA doubles tournament in Valladolid, 2014.

"It is certainly an honor to have someone of Paula's ability coming to compete for our husker family,” said Head Coach Scott Jacobson. “I believe she will have an incredibly positive impact on our program both as a player and a person. We feel privileged and grateful she and her family have entrusted us with her future."

"We are very excited to welcome Paula to our Husker family,” Assistant Coach German Dalmagro said. “She will be a great addition to our program and will make an immediate positive impact on our team. We are happy she chose Nebraska as the school to continue her education and her dream to continue to play professional tennis after college. She is a very talented player, with great doubles skills, works very hard, and has a great future ahead of her. We are delighted by her commitment to Nebraska" 

The Huskers are set to open their season on Jan. 24 against Air force and Army at the Nebraska Tennis Complex.