Elizabeth Gardner '23 Recruiting Profile

My name is Elizabeth Gardner, and I’m a Junior at Lincoln School for Girls in Providence, Rhode Island.

I live in Newport, Rhode Island five minutes from the International Tennis Hall of Fame where I have played for nearly 10 years. I was also a ball kid for 4 years at the summer Hall of Fame professional tennis tournaments. My passion for tennis grew from a young age due to the high level of tennis being played all around me.

Over several years, I tried eight different sports; tennis has always been my favorite. I played in club matches and have won every tournament since I was eight. However, I didn't start playing USTA or UTR matches until 2020. I attended IMG Academy several times over the last year in order to increase my skill level and play in UTR matches.

Due to Covid, there were very few UTR opportunities. When my club closed down due to Covid, I started taking advantage of my free time. I analyzed professional tennis players’ statistical and training routines and incorporated them into my own training. Since there were no indoor courts available, I practiced my training routines on outdoor courts in the winter and spring. I also took advantage of my gym at home, hoping to return stronger when the tennis season finally resumed.

I was on the varsity tennis team at my high school in a top seed position where we won the State Championships 2021. This season, we finished undefeated in Division II. For the Rhode Island selections I personally won top player by position, and the sportsmanship award. 

At the beginning of the summer, I was approached by the Lincoln School sailing coach due to my success during the spring sailing season. He encouraged me to take the next step and join the collegiate offshore sailing circuit six-week training course, and I did. This past summer, I have been sailing on 32 foot Beneteau Figaro 2s and have been racing three times a week with an overnight race every weekend. I have won every race so far with my crew, and we are constantly getting better. This sailing opportunity has pushed me mentally, physically, and has demonstrated my competitiveness.

Recently, I was recruited by Oakcliff sailing to be part of the crew of the youngest all-female team ever to complete the Newport to Bermuda 635-mile race last June of 2022. We sailed on a Farr 40 in the most competitive class, competing against the best sailors in the world. We ended up finishing top in our class and top 30 out of 200 boats competing. After finishing the race hitting record breaking speed (while combating a tropical storm), we have been featured in multiple newspapers, international magazines, and national news.  Our ultimate goal has been to open up the sport to further groups of people while inspiring this generation and generations beyond. With my new perspective on the impact of teamwork, I plan to utilize this skill in college tennis. 

I attend a small private girls' school 45 minutes from my home near Brown University. I am a studious, disciplined, and a curious learner. I have taken courses such as Engineering, Anatomy and Philosophy to expand my interests.

Though I haven't decided on a particular college major, I do enjoy STEM classes. Even though I have a strong interest in academics, my dream is to play tennis professionally. 

I look forward to learning more about myself through the college process and pushing myself as an athlete and student.