Clark opts for Allegheny
BUTLER TWP — A tennis player since age 10, Butler senior Jillian Clark isn’t ready to stop playing the game yet.
In fact, her best years in the sport may be coming.
The Golden Tornado’s No. 1 singles player this past fall has signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and tennis career with Allegheny College. The Gators recently left the North Coast Athletic Conference to join the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
Allegheny won the PAC this past fall with a 14-0 record, thus qualifying for the NCAA Division III championships in the spring. Dave Hayden is in his second season as coach of the team, coming over from Westminster.
“The tennis program there is amazing,” Clark said. “I’m excited to become a part of it.”
Clark was 9-3 for Butler this season. Tornado assistant coach Gretchen Wilson said her best match was against Mars’ No. 1 singles player Cece Crowley, who she defeated in a pair of long sets this year.
“That was probably the best tennis I’ve seen Jillian play in her four years with us,” Wilson said. “The physical and mental demands of that match ... She was outstanding.”
Clark called that match the highlight of her Butler tennis career. She lost to Crowley last year.
“I thought it showed how much I’ve improved as a player and I want to continue to improve,” she said.
Looking to major in business, Clark considered Thiel and Clarion before deciding on Allegheny.
“I love the campus,” she said. “The setting and atmosphere are beautiful. I got to meet the team and it’s like a family. My goal is to improve my performance as a tennis player there, contribute to the team and develop friendships that last a lifetime.”
An assistant at Butler for five years, Wilson described Clark as a true leader.
“I have no doubt Jillian will develop into a leader academically and athleticall;y in college, just like she’’s done here,” Wilson said. “She’s involved in a lot of activities in school beyond tennis.
“Jillian has a passion for tennis,.she’s dedicated to it. She never missed a practice. She is going to excel in college.”
Clark plans to use tennis as a lifetime sport.
“I love the competitiveness of it,” she said. “I use it as an outlet when I’m going through stressful situations or have issues. I doubt I’ll ever stop playing.
“My strengths on the court are my passion for the game and my mentality. I’m never going to give up on a match. I’ll keep pushing regardless of the score or the situation. That’s how I play.”
