Roundup
Welcome to Signing Day
by TennisRecruiting.net, 13 November 2024
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Signing Week is in full swing as high school seniors begin signing financial aid agreements with Division I and Division II colleges. Over the past few months, we’ve been closely following verbal commitments from both boys and girls, and now we’re turning our spotlight to the Class of 2025.
In today’s National Roundup, we hear directly from recruits across the country who are set to make their commitments official during this signing period. We asked them about the schools they've chosen and the factors that shaped their decisions.
Join us as we take a quick trip around the nation, showcasing these verbal commitments. The recruits had plenty of interesting - and occasionally unexpected - insights to share.
Athlete Profiles
Sasha Dimitrov (Alpharetta, Ga.) to Furman
5-star athlete Sasha Dimitrov has showcased her talent on some of the most prestigious stages in U.S. junior tennis. Training at the Georgia Tennis Academy, Dimitrov competed in the USTA Winter, Spring, Clay Court, and Hard Court Nationals throughout 2024 - achieving nine singles victories against tough opponents. The 5’10” senior carefully weighed offers from several highly-regarded programs before committing to Furman University.
TRN: Congratulations on your commitment to Furman! What stood out from other schools you considered?
5-Star senior Sasha Dimitrov is heading to Furman
© Contributed Photo
Dimitrov: For starters, Furman is a great school. They have amazing academics with smaller class sizes that allow for more one on one time with professors. Also, the campus is beautiful and spread out, so you don’t realize you are at a smaller school.
TRN: What about the coaching staff?
Dimitrov: The team and coaches are amazing! Coach Michelle [Dasso] and Coach Grant [Esposito] are always looking for ways to improve all of the girls’ games, and the team connects super well on and off the court.
TRN: It sounds like you got a chance to meet the team. What do you like most about them?
Dimitrov: I did meet the girls on the team, and all of them were amazing! However, when I join in the fall the team will be almost brand new, but I’m so excited for our new team to connect. I’m thrilled to see what we can accomplish and how we can represent Furman women’s tennis!
TRN: Do you have goals for your freshman year as a Paladin?
Dimitrov: I want to help our team win the Southern Conference - which would earn us a spot in the NCAA tournament. I would also love to qualify to play singles and doubles in the NCAA individual tournament.
Andrew Vincler (Rochester, Mich.) to Ferris State
4-star senior Andrew Vincler has built an impressive track record in both high school and USTA tennis. In his final season, Vincler achieved a standout 28-2 record while playing No. 1 singles for Stoney Creek High School and advanced to the semifinals of the Michigan state tournament. His contributions were instrumental in USTA Southeast Michigan’s succes at the Midwest Team Cup, where he won all 5 of his matches. This fall, the 5’11” right-hander is set to take his talents to Ferris State University, where he’ll continue to showcase his competitive edge.
TRN: Congratulations on your commitment! What most impressed you about Ferris State?
4-Star senior Andrew Vincler commits to Ferris State
© Contributed Photo
Vincler: I believe Ferris State is an ideal fit for me, and I have an amazing relationship with [Coach Mark Doren]. He watched me play in the Michigan high school state finals as well as a previous USTA tournament - both in Grand Rapids. We text a lot, and he always followed through with everything.
TRN: What are your thoughts on the school?
Vincler: Ferris State fits me perfectly both for tennis and academically. The tennis program is great - their training schedule and facilities were awesome. The business school is in the middle of campus, and I can see myself easily getting from school to training and practice.
TRN: How was your visit to Ferris State?
Vincler: I took an official visit. All of the guys on the team were at practice then had lunch with me and my dad. They seemed like a tight group. The food courts on campus are awesome. I was very impressed with the level of practices as well as the intensity from all of the guys on the team. Their spring break trip to Florida sounds cool as well.
TRN: It sounds like you are excited about your future teammates.
Vincler: They work hard on the court but are hilarious off it - and at times on the court as well. (Laughs) I appreciated how at home I felt both on and off the court with them.
TRN: Do you have any goals for your first year as a Bulldog? Or anything else you want us to know?
Vincler: My goal is to be in the lineup and contribute to a championship season. I am grateful to my family, coaches - and also the teachers and my high school coaches at Stoney Creek. It was a great journey, but the journey is not over and I am looking forward to the next chapter at Ferris State.
Phoebe Devine (Ridgewood, N.J.) to Holy Cross
4-star senior Phoebe Devine has excelled both on and off the court. Competing at the highest level of USTA junior tennis, she earned a 4th-place finish at the 2023 National Hard Court Championship 16s in San Diego and has claimed two bronze balls in doubles at National Indoors and National Hardcourts in previous years. Academically, the 5’3” left-hander has maintained high honors throughout all four years of high school. In fall 2025, she will bring her talents to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., where she’ll continue to shine.
TRN: Congratulations! How did you decide on Holy Cross?
4-Star senior Phoebe Devine will compete at Holy Cross
© Contributed Photo
Devine: I was considering a few other schools, but I visited Holy Cross when my sister attended a lacrosse prospect camp in early August. I was blown away when I saw the athletic facilities. I also knew it was a great school, so I decided to reach out. I really think I am so lucky that I found this perfect match.
I am excited that I can play D-I tennis and get a top-rated, well-respected education. I discovered that HC offers an amazing alumni network specifically for athletes too. I also knew that I wanted to go to a school with a really supportive atmosphere - both team and coach wise. Distance was a smaller factor, but still important. I really like the New England region and the closeness of Holy Cross to Boston
TRN: Did you take an official visit?
Devine: Yes, and I knew right away that I wanted to go to Holy Cross. The campus is so beautiful with a lot of the older-style buildings and greenery. It is on a hill, so there are amazing views of the surrounding mountains.
During my visit, I went to class with one of the girls on the team. This was really nice because I got to see how a typical class runs. The smaller class size is important to me - I like the personal feel you get. It was great to sit and have lunch with the whole team prior to heading out for a full tour of campus. Following the tour, I watched the team practice. I would say the most impressive part of my visit was the positive energy I got from the team and the coaches.
TRN: You mentioned the coaches. Can you tell me more about your experiences there?
Devine: The coaching staff is one of the main reasons why I chose Holy Cross. I could tell during my first phone call with Coach Brad Walulak and Coach Alana Wyatt that they were both full of energy and focused on team growth - which is something that excited me. The more we connected, the more I could tell they believed in me and my tennis. That type of support is what I think I need in order to improve my game and make a significant contribution to the Holy Cross team.
TRN: What are your goals for next fall when you arrive on campus?
Devine: I am looking forward to my freshman year! I have had to cut back on how much tennis I was playing in order to concentrate on school. I realized that I needed strong grades in conjunction with tennis in order to get accepted and recruited into a good college of my choice. All of that paid off. Starting my freshman year, I get to play tennis and train every day again. I have the expectation that my game will continue to grow and improve. I want to work on building confidence on the court - and staying present for every point of every match.
Lawson Prather (Tulsa, Okla.) to Rollins
Lawson Prather, a highly accomplished 5-star senior, has been thriving on the junior tennis circuit. The 5'6" right-hander secured three notable singles victories against Top 100 opponents at the USTA Nationals 18s in Kalamazoo, boosting his ranking to a career-high No. 33 in the Class of 2025 as of August. Prather has also earned a top-40 national standing in the USTA 18s. For the past nine years, he has honed his skills at Genesis Health Clubs Riverside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Next fall, Prather will bring his talents to Winter Park, Florida, joining the tennis program at Rollins College.
TRN: Congratulations on your commitment to the Tars! What set Rollins apart from other schools you considered?
5-Star senior Lawson Prather is heading to Rollins
© Contributed Photo
Prather: I am excited about what Rollins has to offer in terms of education, tennis, coach, location, history, and weather. Tennis-wise, Coach Friedman is fantastic, and there is so much energy around the team. The school itself has a great small-school feeling, and the campus is just beautiful.
TRN: You mention Head Coach Jay Friedman. What kinds of interactions did you have with him?
Prather: I was able to talk with Coach Friedman over the phone before my visit and in person on my official visit. Our interaction was so comfortable - talking to coach Friedman felt like I was talking to someone who understands me.
TRN: What stood out on your official visit?
Prather: I couldn’t believe how nice the dorms were, and their location is fantastic as well - with fantastic accessibility to classes, the dining hall, etc. I also really enjoyed Downtown Winter Park with all the restaurants, shops, and the Publix nearby!
I also got to meet a few of my future teammates. My favorite part about them was how they greeted me. When I walked out of my hotel, one of the players was there to greet me, and he seemed excited about it. It was like I was a part of the team. He was very knowledgeable about the campus, the school and the community. Then when I got to meet the rest of the team they were all so very energetic - you could tell that they were at this college to accomplish something.
TRN: What kinds of goals do you have for your freshman year?
Prather: My goals are to get good grades, make new friends, improve my game, and to become an asset to the team. I can’t wait to win a championship and to be a part of the Tars!
Teresa Tran (Frisco, Texas) to Creighton
Teresa Tran’s journey in tennis began later than most - she didn’t start competing in tournaments until she was 12 years old. This past year, the 5-star senior showcased her skills by competing in all four USTA junior slams, proving her resilience and adaptability on the court. Additionally, she demonstrated her competitive edge by going 3-1 at the USTA Battle of the Sections in late July. Next year, Tran will take her talent and passion to Creighton University in Omaha, where she is set to continue her tennis career and academic pursuits.
TRN: Congratulations on your commitment to Creighton! What factors went into your decision?
5-Star senior Teresa Tran has committed to Creighton
© Contributed Photo
Tran: The people and atmosphere were definitely the biggest factor in picking Creighton. Those four years can't be wasted.
TRN: How was your visit to the school?
Tran: I took an official visit to Creighton. What most impressed me was how organized and connected the whole community of the school was.
TRN: You made a lot of progress with your game over the past year.
Tran: Twelve months ago I was ranked 248. I achieved my highest-ever ranking of 53 last week. I've won the most-improved award at Lakes Tennis Academy two years in a row.
TRN: Do you have any goals for your freshman year?
Tran: A majority of my goals concern continuing self-improvement both on and off the court. However, going into college, my biggest goal is to contribute to my team as much as possible. I expect it will not be easy - and I have to continue working hard.
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