Caiyu Yang '25 Recruiting Profile

For me, athletics are not only a means of achieving success but play a larger role in allowing me to know myself better. I realized my competitive spirit during the first tennis tournament I ever played while shedding tears over a loss when I could barely hold my racquet. I am willing to compete until the last moment and will not give up until shaking my opponent's hand and applauding for their win. I also believe in a strong work ethic and understand the importance of effort and dedication to be able to achieve goals and aspirations. 

Many lessons I have learned from the tennis court also carry over to my academic life. I started playing tennis when I was six, the same time I started elementary school. Thus, I strove for academic excellence from the beginning, in the same way that I ran for every ball on the court. In high school, I continue to value my GPA and performance in the classroom and have been listed on the Honor Roll for every term.

After entering high school, I also started playing squash and volleyball and have now achieved varsity status for all three sports. I was chosen as captain for the volleyball team next year and will be a captain candidate for both squash and tennis. Even though I have played tennis for the longest, all three sports I play complement each other. Volleyball taught me how to be a team player as we always cheer for each other both on the court and on the bench, which matches the style of play on both high school and college tennis teams. Now, I cherish the success of others as much as my own. Squash taught me to patiently move my opponent around the court and grasp every opportunity that emerges, which provides greater insight for developing a stronger tennis mentality. I was awarded All NEPSAC and ISL honorable mention for squash sophomore year, and for tennis, I was awarded All ISL both freshman and sophomore year.

Overall, I believe that I am a hard-working athlete who enjoys competition, as well as the importance of contributing to a team. I look forward to implementing the skills I have learned as a leader, teammate, and player on a collegiate tennis team.