JASMINE GARCIA '19 Recruiting Profile

As a child, my mother played tennis for her high school years, and brought the sport to my attention. I proceeded with lessons at Strawberry Park Tennis Center with Harry Taylor at eight years old. After he passed away, in 2013, I continued tennis on my own by attending USTA tournaments and practicing with my mother. My first years of tournaments were based on being patient and becoming tournament tough. During junior high, I began school sports like cross-country, volleyball, track, and basketball. As well as, outside sports like tennis and MMA. With education being my main focus, I dropped cross-country, track, and MMA to make sure I had more than enough time for my pre-ap classes. Summer of my freshmen year, I attended tryouts for tennis unknown that freshmen do not tryout. With that being said, trying out wouldn't hurt anyone. I played the number five and two on the varsity team successfully winning. Losing 6-3, 6-3 to the number one varsity girl, the coach placed me on the team as their number two for my freshmen year.

Tennis has taught me to be patient with myself and with the game. Also, losing is a success as well because knowing I put more than 100% into that match shows me that I improve every time.