Jessica Ahn seems like a natural for college tennis.
She is an experienced select-league player. She led her high school team to five straight county titles. She has solid groundstrokes from the baseline. She can make volleys at the net with delicate precision.
And her coach calls her one of the best players he has coached, boy or girl.
But college tennis is not the top priority for the C. Milton Wright senior, who is headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point to study international relations.
Michigan State, Virginia Tech and Maryland were other options, but she turned down those schools. She does plan toplay tennis at West Point.
“It was a difficult decision, but now I have a chance to go to Iraq, or any other country, and help other people in need,” she said.
West Point has long been the school of choice for Ahn, a four-year starter who finished third in singles last season with a 20-1 record.
“My brother is in the National Guard at Viginia Tech, so I feel blessed to have the chance to use tennis as an opening to work with the Army in some way. It?s scary over there [in Iraq] right now, but I?m risking my life for a good cause,” she said.
For now, the Mustangs will count on the 17-year-old to lead a team that has recorded 81 straight victories dating back to the spring of 2000.
“She has a really great work ethic and it?s a ton of fun to play with her,” teammate Kristie Trichere said of Ahn, one of the top players in the state.
“She joined the team as a freshman, as an accomplished player with a strong baseline game, and polished skills with the ball beyond her years,” C. Milton Wright coach Peter Griffiths said. “Her serve and volley has improved, and she has developed a good all-around game.”
It makes Ahn?s decision to turn down Division I programs all the more remarkable.
“When faced with a decision, you know she will make the right choice,” Griffiths said.
THE AHN FILE
School: C. Milton Wright
Sport: Tennis
Position: Singles/Doubles
Did you know? In her sophomore year, Ahn showed her skills as a doubles player, combining with Anita Sahu to win the state doubles title. As a native of Korea, Ahn also speaks fluent Korean.
