College Tennis Recruitment

My journey to becoming a tennis player began unexpectedly when I discovered my talent for the sport at age 16. My passion for tennis grew quickly. I joined my high school team and realized that tennis could be my ticket to obtaining a better education at the college level. Starting so late, however, I had no idea how to improve my game or get the attention of college coaches. So, I started practicing on the tennis wall every morning before school and more after our regular high school practices. I still remember my first high school match in second doubles — I felt clueless and intimidated. The adrenaline I felt after hitting a “lucky shot” to score a point kept me hooked. Tennis became my life, and the court was my escape, helping me cope with the death of my father two years prior. It was the only place where I truly felt like myself again.

During my junior year, I decided to be more intentional about learning the tennis recruiting process to help me get into college. Later that year, I discovered an organization that gave me the opportunity to practice more and improve my game. Since my family couldn’t afford to support my tennis career or pay for college, I knew I had to work hard and position myself for the right opportunities. Some days, my mother would offer African food to one of my coaches in exchange for private lessons. Even though that didn’t compare to the cost of a formal lesson, he graciously helped me improve my skills. Within a short time, I began to win matches, tournaments, and even moved up to play #1 and #2 singles on my high school team.

After tons of research, I utilized every opportunity available to me. During my senior year, I applied for 100 scholarships and was awarded $51,000 in scholarship funds, in addition to grants and financial aid. I was also recruited to play college tennis at Drew University. At Drew, I started at the #4 singles position, then returned that summer to practice six hours a day to become an even better player. The following year, I made it to the No. 1 singles and doubles position. I was named the women’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and continued to thrive in the sport as the #1 player for the next three years. I was selected as MVP two years in a row, earned four Landmark All-Conference First and Second Team selections in both singles and doubles, and became the first woman at Drew to win the Flight A NJAIAW Tournament. As captain during my senior year, I led my team to a championship, competed in the NCAA tournament, US Open Qualifiers, and won several USTA tournaments. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and later a Master’s degree in Arts & Letters (Creative Writing), while also serving as the assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s teams.

With an amazing college education, my dreams became a reality. I had the opportunity to develop programs and work with over 5,000 young people over the years. I am now a Youth Development Specialist, Professional Tennis Coach, College Ready Recruit Course Creator, and founder of She Leads Sports LLC and WE Lead Sports Inc. Founded in February 2019, She Leads Sports empowers girls to become productive women through sport-based activities. Our main focus in creating the College Ready Recruit course is to help high school tennis athletes  efficiently prepare for college, enhance their mental performance, and secure a scholarship at their DREAM school—one that meets not only their athletic aspirations but also their academic goals.

From experience, I know how hard it can be to navigate an unfamiliar process and understand the steps needed to achieve a goal. But I also know that, no matter what obstacles you encounter, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel if you’re willing to go the extra mile, work hard, and seek help.

As a youth program provider, I’ve noticed that one of the biggest challenges many athletes face is the lack of guidance and resources available to help players interested in playing at the college level. Many families are left to figure out the college process on their own, which often leads to last-minute decisions and missed opportunities both athletically and financially. What sets College Ready Recruit apart is that we provide step-by-step college readiness instructions for both parents and athletes. 

This course helps athletes learn how to:

• Set realistic goals and create an outstanding recruitment profile
• Develop more confidence and increase interest in the recruitment process
• Select the right colleges that fulfill both athletic and academic needs
• Effectively communicate with coaches and conduct interviews
• Locate and secure athletic, academic, and outside scholarships

For Parents and Guardians:

If you’re reading this as a parent or guardian, you may be feeling overwhelmed and worried about getting your child into the right college. You might be thinking, "I don’t know what to do. I don’t have enough time. I have no idea how the college recruitment process works. There isn’t enough information provided by my child’s school. My child isn’t confident or focused enough to secure scholarships. My child isn’t excited about college."

I understand! Not everyone wakes up with a clear vision for how to help their child, nor do they have the time to dedicate to it. But I promise you: there’s a possibility to get your child playing tennis at their desired college — regardless of their level or UTR/USTA ranking. I’m a perfect example of that!

I used to think, "I’m not good enough to play college tennis. I started so late at age 16." I spent many sleepless nights worrying about the process until one day I decided to focus all of my energy on understanding the necessary steps to get into my dream college. I realized that overthinking and worrying weren’t helping, so I researched, asked questions, and sought help wherever I could.

Over the years, I’ve coached all levels and worked with many young people, so I know firsthand that now, more than ever, you need the right strategies and guidance to set your child up for success.

To all parents who want to support their children through the recruitment process:

• You do not need to fear the process.
• Your child does not have to settle for less.
• No matter your current situation, your child can secure a great education through tennis if they are willing to put in the work and seek help.

The truth is...Coaches are no longer just looking for talented players; they want well-rounded individuals. Being good at a sport alone is no longer enough. How involved your child is in their community, how they present themselves, and how they showcase their personality could make the difference between getting into their dream school or settling for less.

Lack of vision and preparation during the college planning process could lead to your child quitting the team after the first semester because the team culture wasn’t a good fit, or dropping out midway due to insufficient funds to cover the remaining years of college.

Realistically, there are thousands of talented players competing for the same spots. With so many emails, videos, and calls coming in, coaches are overwhelmed and may miss great players due to their lack of presence. Players can also miss out on amazing opportunities due to inadequate preparation. Standing out to the right coach means showcasing yourself as a well-rounded player who can add value to both the team and the institution.

How do I know this? I’ve experienced both sides — as a tennis athlete and a college coach. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with so many great athletes and parents who were once in your shoes.

That’s why I created College Ready Recruit, a program that provides step-by-step guidance to help you effectively navigate the recruitment process.

To learn more about how you can get started, schedule a discovery call with me.

You’ll learn:

• The top 3 secrets to preparing your child academically, mentally, and physically for college — even if they’re not a high-level player.
• Quick and easy steps to make the tennis recruitment process work for you.
• The best strategies for securing college scholarships and avoiding out-of-pocket expenses.

Go ahead and schedule your call now!