Paula Saenz '11 Recruiting Profile

My name is Paula Saenz, I am 17 years old and I am looking for a tennis scholarship. I have played tennis for over 10 years of my life and I started playing this sport because I was inspired by Martina Hingis' game. I have not only played for more than 10 years, I have also competed at a high level for these number of years. At the age of ten, I was playing U12 tournaments in Colombia and I would win many of them. When I turned eleven I acquired the 30th spot in U14 in the national ranking of Colombia. Months after this I moved to Costa Rica where I missed a month of training due that I had to find a new home and get set up with my family. After discovering that there was tennis tournaments as well and academies, I decided to star playing U14 tournaments and after the fifth tournament in my first year I was number one nationally ranked. As two years went by I held my ranking as number one and I got to play in for Costa Rica in countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic. As well I represented Costa Rica at ITF tournaments such as the Coffee Bowl, Costa Rican Bowl, Cariari Cup and Orange Bowl ; in many of these tournaments I came through many rounds where some times I lost to the one seeded player. In 2007 I moved to Canada and after my first month of training with my new academy where I got sponsored, I managed to get in to the semi-finals of my first tournament, and with this I won a spot to a four star tournament which is called the Selection. After this tournament I was in the 30th spot and I decided to try out for provincials through the qualifying round; in this tournament I made it to the round of 32 after losing to the third seeded player. After this year I had to start playing U16 and U18 tournaments because I wanted to play on higher levels, where I could play a better tennis. During the first year playing both categories I won three tournaments in U16 and made it through many semi-finals in U18. I am 5 feet and 5 inches tall. My weight is 145 pounds. I am quick around the court and my three best shots are my backhand, forehand and volley. My serves and overheads are really good as well. During my high school years I have been Hamilton champion for three years and I went to the biggest school tournament called OFFSA; a tournament in the GTA where students from the cities around Toronto come to play. In this tournament I came 5th in the singles round and last year I came fourth while playing doubles. The previous year I could not attend due that I suffered and injury while playing U16 selections. I am a team leader, I know how to motivate partners and how to improve the team's self-esteem. As I mentioned before I was my school's tennis captain where as the ranked player, I helped new students improve their game and helped coach other kids. I am very open about the location of the schools, but also look for a school that offers high division level and high academic level. My biggest wish since I was little has been to play college tennis and to be able to make an impact at this school through my academics and sports. I want to be an honourable student and I want to be a role model, and person that other students look up to. My desired major is to become a veterinarian and attend vet school. My family has always supported me through this decision but as mentioned before my family does not have all the economical requirements to help me get my studies and help me achieve my dream. I wish to not only make an impact on students but also future coaches. Thank You