Is it possible to try out for a DI women's tennis team after you are accepted to the school?

Question

I am applying to some DI schools that i want to go to but i have been unsuccessful in contacting the tennis coach. I really want to play tennis at a DI school (if i am accepted), but i am not being recruited. I have sent the coach a video and emailed him, but i havent gotten a response. Basically what i am asking is WHAT SHOULD I DO TO HAVE A CHANCE TO PLAY ON THIS DI TEAM? can i try out after i am accepted and still have a chance of playing?
p.s. i already have a NCAA clearinghouse number.

Answer 1

I am pretty sure that at some schools you can try out as a walk on. My daughter did just that at the University of Oregon, a D-1 school. She did not make it, but said she came close. You will have to contact the athletic department or the tennis coach to find out. Be persistent. Tell them something about your experience.

Answer 2

NCAA Division 1 tennis is very, very elite. A number of schools import their entire starting lineups from foreign countries. They do this because (1) There are only so many top-ranked American players, and (2) it's not against NCAA rules.



If you've never been highly ranked at the national or at least the sectional level, that may explain the coach's lack of responding to your inquiry. Or perhaps he/she doesn't like to write letters or emails, and so, many other young players are not getting a response, either.



Do not take the attitude that it's your favorite Division 1 school, or no college tennis at all. If you're a fairly strong player, there are probably many, many schools that would love to have you. Even if you're NOT a really strong player, there are still schools you can play for. Be flexible.



If you insist on going to a school where you will never start with their top six singles players or top doubles teams, then you are just asking for a heartache [I'm assuming tennis is important to you].



If you're a strong player, then you might very well be *much* happier at a Division 2 or 3 school where you can play #1 or #2. However, don't assume that you *will* play #1 at a Division 3 school, because you will find out that D-3 has a lot of strong players, too. With all the foreign players coming into the country, the overall skill level at D-2 and D-3 schools has gone up as well.



Do your homework as far as researching the schools that you're interested in. The coach is a very key person and will be a central figure in your life for at least a year, maybe 4 years. If you don't already have the USTA book below, get yourself a copy! Only $4.75 plus shipping :-) The knowledge contained inside it will certainly help you navigate the months and years ahead in your college tennis.



Note: Skill at handling a tennis racket does not necessarily translate into success later in life. In fact, IMHO, it's largely a useless skill as far as making money and/or helping others in some meaningful way. There are some who have been able to earn a good living in tennis, but they are NOT in the majority, IMO.



Sportsmanship might not be #1, but it's way ahead of whatever is in 2nd place.



Good luck with the struggle, hope you have some fun, win few matches, and graduate with a degree of some kind that will help you later in life :-)

Answer 3

Go for it, I just got into high school and sports are one of the best experiences there is. You don't have to take lessons for two years before either. Most of the time the tennis team will have a beginners level too where you learn for half of the year first. If you want to get a head start go for it but don't forget if you don't like it, there are TONS more opportunities in high school and make sure you get involved in one of them because it will change those 4 or 5 years substantially.

Answer 4

NO. well .. i think ur situation is like this... u got accepted to a D1 shool ,, but now u have chance to get into a better D1 school.. Its perfectly OK to apply for as many schools as u want and it does nt matter if u get accepted at 2 or 3 or 4 colleges at the same time ...as far as i know .. No D1 shcool is allowed to have try outs ... the only procedure i thin which is legit is scouting by coaches (they come to see u play in a tournament) or u send them a video of urself playing tennis and they decide.. if a coach calls u and makes u play with team members than u better look at the rules before doing so .. its not a problem.. u can easily find it online .NCAA BYLAWS FOR TENNIS.be careful in whatever u do .. i m writing it all because i am international student and NCAA took a year of my eligibility ... that is y i know the rules

Answer 5

Lalala is correct. There are many D1 schools that have terrible tennis teams. The scholarships are given to good players, but the walk ons are not always great. The big name D1 schools are tougher, but I have coached and known many girls who I would consider 3.5 level players playing at D1 colleges all over the country. I would contact the coaches, and find out if there are open tryouts, and for how many spots. if you arent getting any money, it shouldnt matter what division you are playing in, however, so not sure why it needs to be D1.



Use tennisrecruiting.net to research alot of what you would need to know. Good luck

Answer 6

To be honest, D1 schools are not everything. And there are schools out there that you could play for even if you were not all that great. But yes, some schools allow walk ons. meaning while they go to that school, they could try out and play.

Answer 7

I think you could always walk on, but if not, or you don't make the team, you could always play club or intramural tennis.