Megan Allen Signs To Play Tennis For Millikin

Pictured are, sitting, left to right, Eran Allen, Megan Allen and Kevin Allen. Standing, EHS girls tennis Coach Erik Williamson.

Megan Allen recently inked a letter of intent to continue her tennis playing career at the college level.

Allen, a senior at Effingham High School, will become a member of the Millikin women's tennis team next year.

"I am very excited to have Megan join the Millikin women's tennis team," said Millikin Coach Dustin Forman. "While recruiting players, I always look for players that have a strong character and work ethic. I believe Megan will be a hard worker both on the court and in the classroom."

"Megan has been such a key player for the Hearts tennis team," said EHS Coach Erik Williamson. "She has played varsity for three of her four years and has been a go-to player who would play any opponent that I put her up against from the two to four singles throughout her career as well as a mix of doubles teams.

"She has been a great example for the others players on how to play with grit and determination. She definitely played with fire and a whole lot of emotion, which was always fun to watch.

"She is a powerful player who loves to swing away with a big serve and forehand. She is a great student of the game. When approached to try different doubles tactics or even partners, she took it upon herself to apply these in matches without any coaching by myself."

Allen has won the Holly Nosbisch Award for sportsmanship as well as the Most Improved player award.

"Unfortunately, Megan never made it to the state tournament," said Coach Williamson. "Her senior season did see her earn the No. 2 seed in doubles with Emma Kull in the conference tournament, but unfortunately finished fourth. Her best sectional run was as a member of the No. 1 doubles team with Kull that lost one match short of a chance at state."

Allen, the daughter of Kevin and Eran Allen, will join a Millikin team that had its second consecutive winning season last year.

"We finished with a 7-6 record," said Coach Forman. "We will be returning four of our six starters from last year."