Two days after celebrating our nation’s birthday, the Kelly sisters – Kayla and Ahmee – held their own celebration Tuesday afternoon as they signed letters of intent to attend Milligan (Tn.) College in the fall on athletic scholarships.

The two-time defending state tennis doubles champions from Chattanooga Arts and Sciences will continue their net careers for the Buffaloes, while Kayla will also play basketball.

Milligan is an NAIA school and a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

“Milligan College is a good fit for us as we like the size (1,100 students), it offers good academics and this gives me a chance to play basketball and tennis,’’ said Kayla who plans to major in business and marketing with a minor in sociology, while Ahmee will study accounting.

The Kelly sisters will have one familiar face on the tennis team as older sister, Albany, is a rising junior and played No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles this past season for the Buffaloes who won the regular season conference championship.

“I want to build a tennis culture at Milligan and I believe Kayla and Ahmee will have an immediate impact on our women’s tennis program,’’ said new head men’s and women’s tennis coach Ryan Reynolds who lettered four years at Milligan, graduating in 2007.

Kayla is expected to see playing time in basketball as a freshman on a team that was 20-12 this past season.

“We plan to use Kayla in the post and at small forward as a freshman and we see good things for her for the next four years,’’ said women’s assistant basketball coach Leah Anderson.

“Having the Kelly’s sign college scholarships is a tribute to ou tennis program here at CSAS as Kayla and Ahmee have been great tennis players as well as solid citizens and good students,’ said CSAS tennis coach Jerry Pate.

Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Kelly Sisters, Kayla (left) and Ahmee
- Photo2 by Wes Schultz