BY FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Fort Hays State women’s tennis coach Brian Flax has announced the signing of three-student athletes in advance of the 2020-21 season. The three signees include three talented freshmen from the state of Kansas; one from Buhler, one from Wellington and one from McPherson.
Kylie Aufdengarten signs with the Tigers after leaving Wellington (Kan.) High School as the winningest player in school history. She compiled a four-year record of 117-29. Aufdengarten was part of the class 4A state champion doubles team as a senior in 2019, completing the year with a 32-2 record. She was a top-five finisher at the state tournament all four seasons during her high school career, placing second as a junior in 2018, third as a sophomore in 2017 and fifth as a freshman in 2016. Kylie averaged 29 wins per season throughout her high school career. She earned first team all-league honors at No. 1 singles as a junior and was named to the Best of Kansas Preps list by The Topeka Capital-Journal in 2018-19. She was a four-time Academic All-State honoree and plans to study Athletic Training at FHSU.
Taylor Bruce joins the squad after completing an undefeated senior season at McPherson (Kan.) High School. Bruce won the 5A state doubles championship in 2019, finishing the year a perfect 35-0. She was a four-time state qualifier, placing fourth as a junior in 2018, fourth as a sophomore in 2017 and ninth as a freshman in 2016. Bruce turned in an overall record of 118-31 across her four-year career as a Bullpup, posting a winning percentage of 79 percent. She earned Academic All-State honors twice and plans on majoring in Nursing at FHSU.
Aliyah Frederick joins the Tiger tennis team after accumulating a career record of 89-45 at Buhler (Kan.) High School. Frederick finished 7th in singles at the 4A State Championships this fall, compiling a 23-14 record as a senior. She was a three-time top-10 finisher over her career, earning a fifth-place finish as a junior in 2018 and a 10th-place finish as a sophomore in 2017. Frederick led the Crusaders to a runner-up finish at the 4A State Championships last month. Her fifth-place finish as a junior was the top singles finish for a Buhler tennis player in 20 years. She earned Academic All-State honors three times and plans on majoring in Nursing at FHSU.