Ashley Walker '18 Recruiting Profile

I am extremely interested in playing college tennis. I have been competing in the USTA since I was 11 years of age. Tennis has always been an important part of my life, since my mother played collegiate tennis at the University of Michigan. She made sure I was a well rounded individual and encouraged me to spend time playing multiple sports, focusing on academics, and completing service related projects. My mom made sure I did not solely focus on tennis at such a young age to ensure that I did not burn out like so many athletes had in her day. 

I think her methodology has had a positive effect on my tennis career so far. I am now fully committed to tennis and it is the sole sport that I play. I am now enrolled in the champions high performance group at the Intensity Club Tennis Program in Norwalk, Connecticut. I spend 8 hours minimum weekly at Intensity doing drills, playing matches, working out in the gym and working on mental toughness in the classroom. I also play regularly at a tennis club in vista New York where my mother is a teaching pro.

I have been ranked in USTA in the New England section every year since I started competing. I have also been ranked in Connecticut and my current UTR is a 5. 

I was the only Freshman in my high school to make the Varsity Tennis Team. I have played 2nd and 3rd singles my freshman and sophomore year.

I am very committed to improving my Sectional and National ranking this spring/summer and next year. I also am open to the idea of playing at a tennis academy the year after I graduate from high school to improve my tennis abilities in order to play college tennis. (This is also a consideration for me since my birthday is in late August, 2000).

Academics are very important to me as well. My GPA has improved each semester since Freshman year and have made high honors the past four quarters.  I also plan to take a minimum of three AP classes my senior year of high school.