Women's Tennis Adds a Pair During Fall Signing Period

CINCINNATI – Xavier women's tennis head coach Doug Matthews announced the signing of two additions to the program this fall. Bella Kirby signed on to join the Musketeers as an incoming recruit for the Fall of 2021 and Anna Smith joins the program as a graduate transfer from Marshall.

"I'm excited to welcome Anna and Bella to the Xavier tennis family," said Matthews. "Both will represent Xavier University well, on and off the court. Anna is an All-Conference USA player that will bring great experience to our team. She is an extremely hard worker and a tough competitor. Bella is also a hard worker who has been quickly moving up the rankings. She is tall and athletic and has a good all-around game. I can't wait for them both to get on campus and help us compete for a BIG EAST Championship!"

Bella Kirby is a native of Cincinnati currently attending Indian Hill High School. So far in her prep career, she is a three-time Ohio state championship participant as an individual. She's also collected a second-place and third-place team finish at the state level. Kirby is a three-time Conference Player of the Year and a First Team All-Conference honoree.

"I chose Xavier because it feels like home to me. Both the team and the coaching staff couldn't have been more welcoming. It is such an encouraging environment that I think will help me thrive academically and athletically. I am super family oriented so it means a lot to me that my family can come and watch me compete since it is close to home."
- Bella Kirby

Anna Smith joins Xavier as a grad transfer from Marshall, pursuing her MBA. She is a two- time Conference USA All-Conference honoree, earning a spot on the Singles Second Team in each of the last two seasons. She collected over 30 singles wins during dual play during her time at Marshall. She led the Thundering Herd in singles wins during each of her two full seasons, including winning a career-best 12 wins in 2019, playing primarily in the No. 1 spot as a sophomore. Smith has also collected over 30 doubles wins so far in her collegiate career.

Smith, who has rated as high as No. 17 in the ITA's Atlantic Region rankings, has earned multiple academic awards during her collegiate career, including ITA Academic All-American, ITA Scholar Athlete and Conference USA All-Academic. Originally from Venetia, Pa., and a graduate of Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, Smith was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, ranked 51st in the country by TennisRecruiting.net. She is the daughter of MaryAnne and Gary Smith and has a sister Stephanie, who also played tennis at Marshall.

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