Erika Oku '17 Recruiting Profile

My name is Erika Oku and I am currently a senior at Hinsdale Central High School in Illinois. I have played both competitive tennis through USTA for seven years and have also played as a member of the girls varsity team at Hinsdale Central for four years.

In USTA, I got to the quarter-finals in singles and doubles in the Midwest outdoor level 1 closed in 2013. I have also competed in National Hard courts in Georgia and the Easter Bowl in California in 2013. In my most recent competition, my doubles partner and I made it to the finals of the 2014 National Open Regional Girls 16 Tournament. As an individual player, I also won the back draw of the 2014 Girls 18s level 4 tournament in Wisconsin and the Quarter- Finalist of the 2014 National Open Regional in Grand Blanc in Michigan. Whenever there was a reasonable opportunity, I always pushed myself to compete against older and high level players in order to be ready to play at the collegiate level.

I have also contributed greatly to the varsity tennis team at Hinsdale. This year, I played #1 doubles and placed second at state. We got first place as a team.

Just like tennis, I have also successfully challenged myself in academics and music. This year, I am taking 4 AP courses. I have been a Dean’s list student throughout my freshman and continue to excel.

I have also been playing violin since I was four and am now playing first chair in my high school’s honor symphonic orchestra. In addition, I was accepted into the IMEA District Orchestra twice.

My goals are to fulfill these three pillars of my life in college: to play competitive tennis, excel in academics, and to succeed in my musical talents through violin.