How a talented student-athlete from California found the perfect balance of elite academics, competitive tennis, and a team that felt like home.

Anthony Chen’s journey proves that starting tennis later than other players does not have to limit where the sport can take you.

Originally from California, Anthony moved to Clearwater, Florida, where he spent several years dedicating himself to his development. Although he began playing competitive tennis relatively late, his intelligence, discipline, and determination allowed him to improve rapidly.

Anthony was also an exceptional student with outstanding grades. When it was time to explore college opportunities, he knew that he did not want to sacrifice his academic ambitions to continue playing tennis.

His goal was clear: find a highly respected Division III college where he could receive an excellent education while continuing to develop and compete as a college tennis player.

Finding that perfect balance, however, required a thoughtful and highly targeted recruiting process.

Finding the Right Academic and Athletic Fit

For Anthony, college tennis recruiting was about much more than earning a place on a roster.

He wanted to attend a college with strong academics, but the tennis program, coaching staff, team culture, campus environment, and location also had to feel right. The best academic school on paper would not necessarily be the best overall fit—and neither would the strongest available tennis program.

Recruited helped Anthony evaluate the complete opportunity at every school.

Together, we explored competitive Division III tennis programs at academically respected colleges. We helped Anthony communicate with coaches, understand where he fit within their recruiting classes, prepare for important conversations, and compare the academic and athletic experience offered by each institution.

Anthony connected with several excellent colleges and had conversations with numerous Division III tennis coaches. Each opportunity gave him more insight into what he wanted from his college experience.

Still, he was searching for the school that felt like more than simply a good option.

Building Connections With Division III Tennis Coaches

Division III tennis recruiting can be especially complex for academically ambitious student-athletes.

The coach must believe that the player can contribute to the team, but the student must also meet the college’s academic expectations. Because NCAA Division III programs do not offer athletic scholarships, families must also understand admissions and financial aid while evaluating the complete value of each opportunity.

Recruited guided Anthony throughout this process, helping him balance his academic profile with his tennis ability and long-term goals.

He spoke with coaches from several outstanding academic institutions with competitive tennis programs. We helped him assess each school based on its academics, team level, coaching philosophy, campus culture, location, and potential role within the lineup.

There were many strong possibilities—but eventually, one school stood apart.

Why Connecticut College Felt Different

When Anthony connected with the coach and team at Connecticut College, everything began to come together.

Located in New London, Connecticut, Connecticut College offered the academic environment Anthony wanted alongside the opportunity to compete in NCAA Division III tennis. The college is also a member of the highly regarded New England Small College Athletic Conference, better known as the NESCAC.

More importantly, Anthony formed a genuine connection with the program.

He could picture himself learning there, competing there, and becoming part of the team. The conversations with the coach felt natural, the team environment suited him, and the overall opportunity aligned with what he and his family had been seeking.

Anthony had spoken with many great schools throughout the recruiting process, but Connecticut College was the one that ultimately landed in his heart.

It was not simply a decision based on rankings, statistics, or a school’s name. It was the place where the academics, tennis, people, and feeling all came together.

The Beginning of Anthony’s Next Chapter

Anthony is now preparing to continue his academic and tennis career at Connecticut College.

His story reflects what finding the right college should truly mean. A successful college tennis placement is not just about reaching the highest possible division or accepting the first available roster opportunity. It is about identifying the university where a student-athlete can grow academically, athletically, and personally.

Anthony started tennis later than many of his competitors, but he refused to allow that to define his ceiling. He moved across the country to improve his game, committed himself to his academics, and earned the opportunity to continue doing both at an outstanding Division III college.

At Connecticut College, Anthony will be able to challenge himself in the classroom, continue developing on the court, form lifelong relationships, and experience everything that comes with being a college student-athlete.

Searching for the Right Division III Tennis Program?

Division III college tennis can provide student-athletes with an exceptional combination of competitive tennis and high-level academics. However, finding the right program requires more than emailing a long list of coaches.

Players must understand their tennis level, academic profile, admissions prospects, financial needs, and personal preferences. They must also identify coaches who genuinely see them as a fit for their programs.

Recruited helps student-athletes and their families navigate every part of the Division III tennis recruiting process—from building a targeted school list and communicating with coaches to comparing opportunities and choosing the college that feels right.

Anthony found that complete fit at Connecticut College. Your college tennis journey could be next.

Start your college tennis recruiting process with Recruited today.