Abiela Wang '23 Recruiting Profile

As a little girl, I've always dreamed of the chance to play tennis because my father was a tennis coach. Finally at the age of eight my father decided to coach me. The beginning  of my career was not what you see at a fun little tennis camp. It was hard work with a lot of setbacks. I had to wake up at 6:30am, make my father coffee and drag him out to the free indoor courts. Back then, we drove a car that had no heating so my dad would make me put my hands in my armpits to stay warm during the winter when it was below freezing. Though things did not get easier after this, it seemed as if every time I won it was because I lost ten times before that. If only I had a dime for every time I told myself I wasn't good enough or how much I wanted to quit, but from the start I've known my goal is a college scholarship. So regardless of how much I wanted to quit, I wouldn't give into those thoughts. Now looking back to those loses, I see that they have given me something much greater than a trophy...they have given me perseverance. If I were to lay all my talents and attributes on the table so I could pick the one I cherish the most, I would choose my hard earned determination because this is what has led me to surpassing my peers in tennis, academics, and has created a leader within me. This tennis journey has not been easy for me but I now acknowledge I have gained something rare, thus no matter what I, or the people around tell me, I press toward my goal, and I will never give in to quitting.