EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE women's tennis has announced two additions to the program's 2026 recruiting class. Jacinta Villalobos (Hinsdale, Illinois) and Emma Baker (College Grove, Tennessee) have signed to join the team.
"We are very excited to welcome Jacinta and Emma to the Cougar family, said SIUE Head Coach Adam Albertsen. "First off, both are great people who are excited to hop into our team atmosphere and work to make this group better. I am pumped that they chose SIUE and will be a part of our team."
Below is a sketch of each newcomer.
Jacinta Villalobos
Hometown: Hinsdale, Ill.
Major: Business Marketing
Why I picked SIUE: "SIUE truly feels like the perfect place for me, a program that competes hard to win while still having so much fun along the way. The team is incredibly supportive and welcoming, and Coach Adam has been amazing throughout this process. I was really drawn to the strong team culture and the drive everyone has to keep improving. With their impressive record and the positive energy around the program, I couldn't be more excited and honored to be part of the Cougar family!"
Coach Albertsen on Jacinta: "Jacinta is a lefty who brings a lot of energy to the court. In watching her compete over the summer it is easy to see how she fits into college tennis and has a strength of being a team player. She plays with big topspin and has very solid game. I am excited to see her on the SIUE courts with us and continue to grow in singles and doubles."
Athletic and Academic Highlights: Ranked No. 234 by Tennis Recruiting and 9th in the state of Illinois, Jacinta holds a 4.0 GPA in all honors and AP courses at Laurel Springs Academy. Won first place in Laurel Springs High School STEM Fest 2024 and is a member of three Honors Societies. Recently, she won a USTA Level 5 Splitz in Florida, won a USTA L5 Singles in Wisconsin, and has been a three-time Women's Battle of Boca Backdraw champ.
Emma Baker
Hometown: College Grove, Tenn.
Major: Business Management
Why I picked SIUE: "I picked SIUE for the beautiful campus, new facilities, and excellent tennis program. The training and the team really stood out on the visit."
Coach Albertsen on Emma: "Emma is an extremely athletic player who is just scratching the surface of her tennis game. After years of playing soccer, she has taken off in tennis. Rising over 500 spots in the national rankings is unheard of in junior tennis. I love the mindset and work ethic that she will bring to the courts and the weight room for our team. Emma's development over four years as a Cougar will be really fun to watch."
Athletic and Academic Highlights: Baker is ranked No. 407 by Tennis Recruiting and eighth in the state of Tennessee. She has improved 510 ranking spots in one calendar year. She has been a District Champion and Regional Champion for Page High School while advancing to the State Tournament. In addition to tennis, Baker was a member of the Page High School soccer team that won the TSSAA State Championship. Baker is a member of the National Honors Society and has carried a 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career.
