For those who love big, bold statements at the start of columns, chew on this.

With three Division I tennis players coming out of Lawrence this year, there’s never been a more skilled group of student tennis players in town.

It’s big, but maybe not that bold. After all, it’s hard to imagine any group better.

Free State High senior Emily Wang signed a letter of intent on Friday to play at the University of Illinois. Caitlin Collins, a Lawrence student, signed to play at the University of North Carolina. Lawrence High senior Scott Elwell orally committed to the University of Iowa.

UNC is a top-10 team. The Illini were ranked among the top 30 and finished 45th. Iowa ended the men’s season ranked No. 66.

Both Collins and Wang want to play professionally. They’ll go to school with the intent of practicing and improving to the point where big-money tennis becomes a reality.

Two players from Lawrence with pro potential? Sounds like a best-ever case to me.

But don’t just take my word for it. Phil Baillos, a coach at Indian Creek Racquet Club in Overland Park, has worked with five of the last six Class 6A state champions, including Wang, FSHS graduate Laura Gravino and Shawnee Mission South’s Cassie Drake.

“It’s probably the best group of kids out of Lawrence,” Baillos said.

Lawrence has had its share of good tennis players. The Lions had Kip and Kara Brady in the mid-80s, and Tariq Butt, Matt Hefner, Chris Werholtz and Jennifer Vaughn in the mid-90s.

But I’m a believer that today’s athletes are usually a bit better than those of a few years ago, especially in a sport like tennis. Technology and endless hours of practicing and playing in tournaments makes today’s trio slightly better.

“That’s probably the main difference with those three kids,” Baillos said, “is that they play outside of the high school season.”

It showed the last two years with Wang.

FSHS coach Jon Renberger watched her develop as a player, much of it because of offseason work.

“As a high school coach, I’m blessed to reap some of the benefits of that,” Renberger said. “But it’s fun to see them progress.”

Kansas University, which finished the year ranked 37th, showed some interest in both Wang and Collins, but not having an indoor facility hurt the Jayhawks’ chances of landing the hometown prospects.

And KU no longer has a men’s team, so Elwell couldn’t consider the Jayhawks.

Thus, Lawrence residents won’t be able to see these talents develop at home.

And who doesn’t want to see the best group of tennis players hit its prime? That would just reinforce what’s been said about them ” that it’s the best group of tennis players to ever come out of Lawrence.

“This year it’s just remarkable,” Renberger said. “It shows the ability of the kids.”