CLEVELAND, Miss. - Andrew Hildenbrand, a two-time MHSAA Class 6A state tennis champion from Tupelo High School, has signed his National Letter of Intent to play for Delta State University and new head coach Jeffrey Farris. The 6-foot-2 Hildenbrand is the first student-athlete to sign with Farris and the Statesmen this spring.

"I could not be more excited to have Andrew Hildenbrand joining our program," Farris said. "He has a strong pedigree and has proven what he's capable of at the highest levels of high school tennis in our state. He will be an excellent addition for us."

After an injury to his wrist that could have derailed his senior season, Hildenbrand rallied and turned the injury into a positive, finishing the regular season 4-1, capturing the 2-6A Region crown and No. 3 seed in the MHSAA State Tournament. The big-hitting Hildenbrand carried that momentum all the way to the MHSAA Class 6A Boys' singles title with a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Clinton's Saideep Reddy.
 
He partnered with Mitch Ostrander to defeat fellow THS teammates Eric Huey and Hogan Harrington 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to win the 6A state doubles championship.

The victory brought Hildenbrand his first state singles crown after finishing runner-up twice. In 2014, he helped capture the Class 6A Boys' Doubles title as well.
 
The Clarion Ledger named Hildenbrand to its MaxPreps Class 6A All-State Tennis Team earlier this month after another outstanding season under head coach Morgan Baldwin. He has also previously been named Mississippi Tennis Association's Dorothy Vest Player of the Year.
 
Andrew is the son of Bret & Andi Hildenbrand. He has two siblings, Adrienne and Aaron. While he's made his college choice, his major is currently undecided.