The Southeast Missouri State women's tennis program has added three players to its roster.

Transfers Jess Courtnell and Heather Robinson and freshman Melissa Martin -- all natives of England -- will join the Redhawks for the 2012 season.

Courtnell posted a 4-14 singles record and 9-8 doubles mark at South Alabama last year. She recorded three of her singles victories at the No. 4 position. Seven of her doubles wins came at the No. 2 spot.

Robinson comes to Southeast from Campbell University. She went 10-11 in singles play last season, her 10 victories tying for fourth on the squad. She competed primarily at the No. 4 singles spot, where she earned seven wins.

In doubles play, Robinson teamed up with three different partners to register an 11-10 record. Five of those wins came at the No. 3 position.

Martin represented her state on two occasions in the under 14s Road to Wimbledon Tournament. She primarily played the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions and competed in the National Junior Club League Finals.

Southeast coach Mark Elliott believes the additions will dramatically upgrade a team that was strong at the top last season but lacked depth.

The Redhawks will return their top two players, Nikole Novikova and Elizabeth Nyenwe. Both were first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference, with Nyenwe winning the league's freshman of the year award.

"I'm really excited about the three new players," Elliott said. "They should really help us improve as a team next year."

Volleyball honors

The Southeast volleyball team has won the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for the 2010-11 season. It is the seventh straight time the Redhawks have claimed the honor.

The Redhawks, who posted a 3.386 grade-point average during the 2010-11 school year, were among 92 NCAA Division I squads to receive the award. Three OVC teams were recognized.

The award, initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors volleyball teams that compiled at least a 3.30 GPA on a 4.0 scale. 

-- From staff reports