Commitment Profile
Countdown: Madeline Lipp Chooses Northwestern
by Rhiannon Potkey, 29 October 2012
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Maddie Lipp rarely takes many things for granted. She realizes how fortunate she is to play tennis and earn a college scholarship.
Lipp's perspective is one borne through tragedy.
The summer before her junior year of high school, Lipp's best friend died in a freak accident.
Her friend was camping in Wyoming when a tree fell on her. After Lipp overcame her initial shock and sadness, the Lake Forest, Ill., native tried to find a silver lining.
"From that experience, my friends and I have been able to make every day count," Lipp said. "Even when I'm at practice, I am constantly telling myself to focus and improve. I try to really be in the moment in whatever I am doing. It was something negative that I have tried to have positively impact my life."
Lipp will carry that attitude with her when she arrives at Northwestern next fall. The blue chip recruit committed to play for the Wildcats last spring.
Lipp selected Northwestern over Michigan, Duke, Virginia and North Carolina.
"Really what it came down to was I was looking for a combination of the best academics and athletics," she said. "Obviously all those schools had that, but I really think the Northwestern coaches can bring me to the next level in college."
Born and raised in Lake Forest, Lipp comes from an athletic background.
Her father played soccer at Dartmouth and her older sister, Nicole, is a senior starting midfielder on the fifth-ranked Duke women's soccer team.
Lipp looked to her sister for advice during the college recruiting process.
"She helped me map out what the pros and cons were of each school, especially when I was looking at Duke," Lipp said. "I think she wanted me to go there, but I felt like Northwestern was just the perfect fit for me."
