Some questions...

[beast22]

Hey guys, I'm a sophomore in high school and thinking about playing college tennis. I was wondering how highly you would have to be ranked to play at a DI school. My grades are decent, but I do attend one of the best high schools in the nation (academically). I know I'm never gonna be able to play at the powerhouse schools, but I was wondering around what I need to become ranked to play at a lesser DI school such as Villanova or Boston College. I'm new to this college stuff, and I was also wondering how to get in contact with coaches. I feel like things would be good if I start the conversation.

FTR: I'm a 2 star on TRN, haven't played any 16s nationals, and ~50 in my section. However, I've has a tough year, but I'm starting to get my game back. I was top 25 in 14's, so I know I have what it takes to break the top 25 in 16s (because I have a versatile, attacking game). I also have this next year to improve in both my game, and my ranking.

Answers would be appreciated

 

[ClarkC]

If you are a 2-star, you can browse around and see which schools sign 2-stars as their normal recruit. Then check the school web site to see if the 2-stars are actually playing, or if foreign recruits who were never listed at TRN are actually playing while the 2-stars sit.

 

[tennisdude7407]

Check out my blog bud, might help you out a bit

collegetennis.blogspot.com

Anyways, I honestly think it depends on the school and if your planning on starting or not... But from my experience at least you'll most likely be picked up if your a 3 star or above... and it helps to have been a solid high school player, ie. won a state title, and have good grades.. with 3 stars your still probably looking at schools in your state at the lower end of the D1 programs. i talked to villanova and johns hopkins, as you know both very highly ranked academic schools, and they are very easy to get into contact with and both coaches are very nice, your going to have to start playing lots of nationals and if you cant get in start with designated's to get your national ranking up(i'm from florida, thats what they call them here), but best of luck man

 

[beast22]

I'm back!

So anyways this summer went a lot better than last year. I played a regional segment and won 3 matches, and I have another one on Labor Day Weekend. My national ranking is in the 600s, and my TRN is in the 700s, although I know I'm better than both rankings suggest. I went to one of the best academic high schools in the country my first 2 years, and did pretty well. I'm a smart kid and grades will probably only help me. A little bit more help would be appreciated...

When should I contact the college coaches? I don't want to send something too early, because they're focused on the '12 kids right now. At the same time, I don't want to be too late.

How do I find contact information?

Thanks

 

[dfreetennis]

I just feel like posting because I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. I have good grades, I'm a high one star (about 1100 on TRN) and I'm just about clueless when it comes to college tennis. From what I know, I suggest that you look at the top DIII programs like Emory and Johns Hopkins, both are very strong academically and would be good for a 2 star tennis player.

 

[tball2day]

I suggest that you look at the top DIII programs like Emory and Johns Hopkins, both are very strong academically and would be good for a 2 star tennis player.

Emory has only recruited 4 star and 3 star players last several years, and a couple internationals.

 

[dfreetennis]

Emory has only recruited 4 star and 3 star players last several years, and a couple internationals.

Ah, my bad. I was just giving an option as OP is only a sophomore and has time to increase (or decrease) his ranking.

 

[racket-e]

Im a 2012 low 2 star (800s) and I am looking pretty much only at DIII schools for tennis. From the colleges I've been to, the top DIII schools, mainly the ones ranked top 25 I would not be able to get in to the starting line up (the top 6). I would still make the team at pretty much any of the DIII schools outside the top 5 because rosters are pretty large, around 14. Still, for me to actually play I am looking at schools ranked around 50 in the nation.

As a 700 player on TR, if you can get that up to around 500 you can probably crack the starting line up for a school in the top 20 but it would be tough. As for DI, it would have to be a really weak D1 school. I don't know anything about DII.

 

[duusoo]

In one form or another this type of question keeps coming up. D1, doesn't mean better than D2, or JUCO programs, all it means is that the school is D1. Yes, in the top 50 schools, your 1s and 2s are fairly good. In some cases they are world class. That said, this year the University of Minnesota recruited two players one from Rochester, and one from Rapid City. Neither of them would play 1-3 at Gustavus. They wouldn't be 1 or 2 at a Tyler Junior College. Look at programs like UW Green Bay, its a joke! Go to where you want to attend, play your best.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

I suggest you do the following as well:

With the help of a coach, and a good video camera, prepare a brief 10 minutes video tape to be uploaded on YouTube:

Have someone feed you balls to your forehand;
Have someone feed you balls to your backhand
Have him to feed you balls to your FH and BH volleys
Hit serves both in deuce and ad courts: 1st and second serves.

Play couple of tiebreaks with someone you can win from (make sure you guys keep the ball in play a bit before you put it away for a winner). Make it look like real.

Have someone to edit the recorded tape; remove all the bad errors.

Solid recording for one hour, with editing it will boil down to 10 to 12 minutes.

Once the tape is uploaded on YouTube, keep on writing to College Coaches citing the YouTube link.

This helps.

Mahboob Khan

 

[FedExpress 333]

Definetely.

Do what Mahboob said as a starting point, and make sure to update your vids as you get better.