DENTON, Texas - North Texas women's tennis head coach Sujay Lama announced the signing of Alexis Thoma to a National Letter of Intent. Thoma, of Frisco, Texas, is currently ranked No. 9 in the state of Texas, 11th in the Gulf States and 122nd nationally for her graduating class.

"We are very excited to have Alexis join the Mean Green family," Lama said. "She is an outstanding individual, great student-athlete and tremendous tennis player. Alexis has world class work ethic and her intrinsic desire to be the best is what separates her from the rest. To have one of the best players from the state of Texas commit to us means a great deal."

Thoma brings an impressive resume to North Texas. At the SCMZ G18 tournament in August, Thoma defeated nationally ranked No. 37 Ellie Zogg, 6-1; 7-5, and nationally ranked No. 17 Hada Chang, 7-5; 7-6(3) to advance to the semifinals. Thoma defeated nationally ranked No. 45 Gabriella Umoquit, 6-4; 6-3, while playing in the Echometer SCMZ G18 in April. Thoma has also appeared on the Prince Hot 100 list three times.

"I chose North Texas because of the passion that Coach Lama has for tennis, the girls and the determination he has to take his program to the top," Thoma said. "Coach Lama really expressed how much he believes in me and knows he can improve my game even more. I wanted to be in a program that's already good, but wants to be great."

Thoma will replace one of the three seniors that will be graduating from the current roster.

"I was absolutely blown away on my first visit to North Texas," Thoma added. "When I took my other visits after that, North Texas just kept sticking in my head. I just knew in my heart that that was where I was meant to be."

North Texas tennis returns to action in Fort Meyers, Fla. on Jan. 19 for the Florida Gulf Coast Invitational.