Commitment Announcement
Kevakian Commits to the Columbia Lions
by
Ali Jones, 4 March 2015
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For five years Andrea Kevakian managed to keep up her blue chip status while successfully completing the rigorous academic requirements of Flintridge Preparatory School.
"I really felt I could balance tennis and academics," Kevakian said.
There was little hesitation on her part when she was offered the opportunity to play for Columbia University, where the Californian will pursue an even more demanding academic and athletic schedule in Fall 2015.
"I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay in California or move away," she explained. "I knew that if I moved away it would be in a big city like New York, and I was interested in the Ivies. Out of the Ivies, Columbia was number one."
An unofficial visit two years ago cemented the university's standing on her list. She also looked at Northwestern and UCLA, but after her official visit to New York recently, Kevakian decided that Columbia was it.
"The team and atmosphere of the school really reminded me of Flintridge Prep," she recalled. "Coach Ilene Weintraub is the best by far. She is someone with whom I could relate."
In 2013, Weintraub, who is also a Columbia alum, led the Lions to their first Ivy League title, and narrowly missed a repeat in 2014 by one match.
Kevakian joins an elite group of recruits, including fellow blue chip Star Makarome and five-stars Sarah Hu and Sai Keerthi Rachavelpula.
The 17-year-old senior feels that the current and incoming team members mesh well on and off court, and she foresees a cohesive, successful and hardworking team.
