Kaya Rand '20 Recruiting Profile

My goal ever since I started playing tennis has been to become a professional tennis player. I have been playing since I was three years old, and have loved the game since. I smile on the court. I am the hardest worker at any place I go, and I dream big. 

I’m half-Japanese and half-American. Because my mom works for the United Nations and my dad is a journalist…I grew up outside of the U.S., learning tennis and competing in Thailand, Japan, England and mostly in Italy, where we lived for seven years, before coming to the U.S. just a few years ago. You could say I grew up on the red clay of Rome, which gave me the variety I have in tennis, and I am especially good at doubles because I have that variety. 

Since I’m relatively new to America, I don’t have a long ranking history. I’ve done USTA tournaments, including nationals, but in the last year I’ve mostly played on the ITF circuit. As for college,   I ideally would love to go to a D1 school, where I can progress through the right coaching, training, and competition.  I want to make it to the NCAA's and want to make a real impact on my college team.  After college I'd like to play tennis professionally.