I'm going to college next year. I'd love to play some college tennis while there. I'm thinking between JMU and Longwood. Any thoughts on their tennis team? And how good do you have to be to get on a varsity team spot? I suck right now but I play high school tennis so if i work extremely hard could I get good enough? I was number 4 outta top 6 last year but I've improved a lotttt so I'm expecting either posistions 1 or 2. I'm new to college tennis completely and I'm really just lost on all the information and basic things
How good do you have to be to play college tennis?
- Thread starter BirdWalkR
- Start date
Speaking from experience (I'm in the college process) to play at a school like JMU you need a ranking, sectional and mist likely national. It's division 1 which means the coach can recruit with money. It isn't impossible to "walk on" but it's difficult.
As fat as Longbeach, i'm not sure. I would suggest reaching out to the coaches and seeing what info they offer. They usually will respond with info, especially if you include a video.
As fat as Longbeach, i'm not sure. I would suggest reaching out to the coaches and seeing what info they offer. They usually will respond with info, especially if you include a video.
Always luck of the draw.
Your college might get the cream of the local crop, or every one of them goes somewhere else. You don't even make the team, or you end up playing 3 singles.
Most TOP level high school players seem to be borderline 4.5's, so with a little improvement and luck, can make the college team, IF the college is not inundated with blue chips or walkon's who are really ringers.
When I was practicing with high school #1's, they all made their respective junior college teams. Naturally, the one guy who chose Stanford did not even make the JV team.
And every one of the high schoolers were competitive with the top 3's of the local junior colleges.
Your college might get the cream of the local crop, or every one of them goes somewhere else. You don't even make the team, or you end up playing 3 singles.
Most TOP level high school players seem to be borderline 4.5's, so with a little improvement and luck, can make the college team, IF the college is not inundated with blue chips or walkon's who are really ringers.
When I was practicing with high school #1's, they all made their respective junior college teams. Naturally, the one guy who chose Stanford did not even make the JV team.
And every one of the high schoolers were competitive with the top 3's of the local junior colleges.
I'd classify both JMU and Longwood as solid middle of the road D1 programs. I don't want to burst your bubble or discourage dreams, but to play for either one of these teams you will likely need to be ranked in the top 150 maybe 200 of your section. If you are not familiar with what level this type of player is at getting there in less than a year will be a stretch. If you want to play there, work real hard and a walk on may be a possibility. Reach out to those coaches now to find out what they need to know from you.
What do you mean section? I'm fairly lost to all this regional, D1,D2 discussions haha. I do plan on being number 1 on the team though. If I get the spot and can win the Group A (i think) states single title would I be more considerable? I know thats a realllll stretch but might as well give it everything I got since it could be my last year of competitive tennis
OK, I'll bite.
What do you mean section? USTA Section. Group of states or state within the United States Tennis Association that makes up a section.
If I get the spot and can win the Group A (i think) states single title would I be more considerable? I don't know. What state are you from? Do you have a ranking?
You may want to go here for more information. http://www.usta.com/Play-Tennis/College-Tennis/CollegeTennis/
1) First, you need to get a USTA number.
http://membership.usta.com/section/Individual-Family-Memberships/101.uts
2) Second, you need to sign up for a tournament.
Start with a low level to get use to it.
http://tennislink.usta.com/TOURNAMENTS/Schedule/Search.aspx
3) Play a few tournaments, and see how you do.
4) If you win, move up to the next level.
5) You can always contact a coach with some impressive results, along with a video.
6) Also, next year, you can try to walk on a team.
Or you can play club tennis which is a lot of fun.
Good luck. Have fun. Enjoy the journey and your senior year.
http://membership.usta.com/section/Individual-Family-Memberships/101.uts
2) Second, you need to sign up for a tournament.
Start with a low level to get use to it.
http://tennislink.usta.com/TOURNAMENTS/Schedule/Search.aspx
3) Play a few tournaments, and see how you do.
4) If you win, move up to the next level.
5) You can always contact a coach with some impressive results, along with a video.
6) Also, next year, you can try to walk on a team.
Or you can play club tennis which is a lot of fun.
Good luck. Have fun. Enjoy the journey and your senior year.
Tennishacker
Professional
Alway remember there is also "Club Tennis" in college. If your school doesn't have a team, you could start one.
Club tennis might be a better fit for you, less demanding of your study time, but just as competitive.
Anyhow, glad to see you want to continue playing while in college!
Club tennis might be a better fit for you, less demanding of your study time, but just as competitive.
Anyhow, glad to see you want to continue playing while in college!
groundbreaker
Rookie
I'll throw my 2 cents in there as well.
Club tennis is a ton of fun! Most (if not all) major universities, and smaller ones, have club tennis teams.
The time commitment can be whatever you want it to be, whether you still wanna keep playing after high school or even just learn the game itself.
You'll find that the competition in club tennis is most likely tougher than high school. Also, depending on which school you go to, they will probably give their respective club tennis teams money for travel expenses, equipment, etc.
It's usually not a lot, but it helps, so you may or may not do fundraising.
The NTRP for club tennis players usually ranges from 3.0-5.0ish. It just depends. I can say the club team I play on has two 4.5-level players, and a handful of 4.0s. After that, we have a bunch of 3.5s and some 3.0s. These are just estimates, by the way. You get the idea.
At any rate, it's a good time!
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pageltennis
New User
Anyone know anything about how good Michigan Technological University tennis is? I'm a senior in high school and am ranked in the top 180 in the *******. Is there any chance at me playing there if I work really hard?
pageltennis
New User
Top 180 in my section, that is.
Given that others here have stated these are decent D1 schools and you said that you currently suck at tennis, I'd say your chances are minimal. And when I say minimal, what I mean is that even if you are an unbelievably naturally talented athlete, there probably just aren't enough days in the year to improve to the level of play required to get a spot on one of these rosters. Usually the D1 prospects have many years of competitive junior experience and some formal coaching.
Tar Heel Tennis
Professional
You eloquently expressed exactly what I thought when I read this thread....but my thoughts had absolutely zero eloquence! :twisted:
thanks....
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
How much junior tournament experience do you have ? have you played the zoo ?
That's a brilliant question, given what he said in the first post.
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