Women's Tennis Announces 2019 Signing Class
7/25/2019 7:28:00 AM | Women's Tennis
First-years Shivani Amineni, Julia Haynes, Sophie Raiszadeh and Michelle Xu to join Lions in September 2019.
NEW YORK—Head Coach Ilene Weintraub '02CC and the Columbia Women's Tennis program has announced its 2019 recruiting class as the Lions welcome four players to the 2019-20 team: Shivani Amineni, Julia Haynes, Sophie Raiszadeh and Michelle Xu.
"We are excited about all four newcomers joining our program and cannot wait for them to arrive on campus," Weintraub said. "All four are great individuals and talented players. They will all help maintain our program among the top ranks nationally and help us achieve our goal of winning the Ivy League Championship."
Amineni, Haynes, Raiszadeh and Xu will join 11 returning letterwinners to the Lions including seniors Ali Pollack, Renee Ren and Brianna Williams and juniors Paulina Ferrari, Jennifer Kerr, Sarah Rahman and Christie Wan and sophomores Yekaterina Alferova, Akanksha Bhan, Melissa Sakar, and Caitie Sullivan. Columbia's 2019-20 roster can be found at this link.
Columbia finished 15-4 overall, 4-3 in the Ivy League and concluded the year ranked No. 42 nationally by the ITA in 2018-19.
2019 COLUMBIA WOMEN'S TENNIS SIGNEES
SHIVANI AMINENI
First-Year | 5-4 | Hyderabad, India/Meridian School
HIGH SCHOOL
A March 2019 graduate of Meridian School in Hyderabad, India … Two-time Indian National Champion in both singles and doubles … Ranked the No. 1 singles player in India by the AITA rankings … Won Under 18 National Title in both singles and doubles … Won Under 16 National Title in both singles and doubles … A two-time representative of India and played in the International Tennis Federation Asian Juniors in Bangkok … Selected to play in the World Junior Championships, which were played in the Czech Republic … Also selected for the Asian Team and participated in a series of five Young Stars European Under-14 Tournaments in July 2015 and August 2019 … The five tournaments are held in France, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic … According to the ITF, accumulated 74-45 career singles record and 56-37 career doubles record … Ranked the No. 304 current combined player with a career-high of No. 130 … Runner-up in the WTA Future Stars Tournament in Singapore in 2016 … Selected for the Under-16 Indian Team for two years and played in the Fed Cup event in Hungary … Competed in four Indian Tennis Federation Grade 4 Tournaments … Won the New Delhi and Chennai tournaments in 2018, earned runner-up honors in Hyderabad in 2016 and 2017, Chennai in 2015 and Malaysia in 2018 … Won the ITF Grade 3 Doubles title in Pune in 2017 … Played in the 2019 Australian Open Qualifying Egards.
PERSONAL
Born Shivani Amineni on May 17, 2001, in Guntur, India … Daughter of Sathyavathi and Srinivas Amenini … Has an older sister Hashmita … Nickname and preferred name is Shivu … Hobbies and interests include cooking, baking, watching Korean dramas and listening to songs … Competed with and against Columbia teammate Akanksha Bhan … Role model is her father, who has shown loyalty to her family and shown her how to prioritize her life … Favorite sports memory was representing India in the Fed Cup event in Hungary after winning nationals at the Under-18 level … It has always been her dream to play tennis at the professional level, alongside attaining a strong undergraduate degree … Chose Columbia for its strong academic program and to improve on her tennis game … Knew that Columbia was the right fit for her after meeting the people, coaches and team on her visit to the school … The main feature that convinced her to attend Columbia was the team, coaches, facility, and overall program … Selected Columbia over offers from Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell and William & Mary … Enrolled at Columbia College and plans to major in Economics.
ARTICLES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV1yLU1HFQ4
https://www.aitatennis.com/article/sacchitt-sharma-shivani-amineni-make-finals-itf-juniors
JULIA HAYNES
First-Year | 5-7 | San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2019 graduate of Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, Calif., where she played one year of varsity tennis for Head Coach Mike Parrinello … Ranked No. 27 by tennisrecruiting.net in 2019 … Ranked No. 13 by TennisRPI … Won Southern California Sectionals in 2016 … Advanced to the finals of the National Open Hardcourts Tournament in 2016 … Advanced to the Finals of the Women's National Hardcourts … Won Under-12 singles championship at 2013 USTA National Open … Won both the 2013 Sunset Athletic Club singles and doubles titles in 2013 … Won both the VTC Boys & Girls Winter championships singles and doubles titles .. Won 2012 Sunset Athletic Club singles title … Won PNW Sectionals at the 14 and under age group … Won Little Mo national title in 2011 … Earned Girls' National Hardcourts Sportsmanship Award … Ranked No. 15 in the USTA National Rankings in 2016 … Ranked as high as No. 5 on tennisrecruiting.net Class of 2019 list in 2016 … Ranked No. 1 in Southern California in 2017 … In her one year of high school tennis as a freshman, earned the Southern California Most Improved Player Award in 2016 … Named San Diego Union Tribune Athlete of the Month in 2015 … Led the Broncos to the Palomar League championship in 2015 … Went undefeated in singles as a freshman … Two-time Intersectional champion in 2015 and 2016 … Named Team Most Valuable Player as a freshman … Named F.A.C.E Award at Rancho Bernardo, which honors top-25 grade point average for graduating senior class … Earned the Silver Star Award for students achieving a 4.0 grade point average per quarter … Served as a volunteer coach for a children's tennis clinic.
PERSONAL
Born Julia Sakurako Haynes on June 1, 2001, in Beaverton, Oregon … Daughter of Bill and Hiroko Haynes of San Diego, Calif. … Has an older brother Chris … Began playing tennis at a young age because her parents played the game … Favorite sports memory was advancing to Intersections and competing as a team in high school … Hobbies and interests include playing poker, hiking, traveling, and trying new foods … Fluent in speaking Japanese … Interesting fact about her is that she can ride a unicycle … Role model is former President Barack Obama, who also attended Columbia … Favorite player is Maria Sharapova … Selected Columbia to continue her education and prepare herself for a career in investment banking … Also cited Columbia's beautiful campus, location, core curriculum, great coach and team environment as factors in the decision … Chose Columbia over an offer from Yale … Enrolled at Columbia College and plans to major in Economics.
ARTICLES
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/high-school-preps/sd-sp-preps-julia-haynes-20170802-story.html
https://www.latimes.com/sdpn-athlete-week-haynes-full-load-rb-tennis-2015oct07-story.html
http://92128magazine.com/2016/01/06/julia-haynes-aspires-to-be-a-pro-tennis-player/
https://www.kusi.com/a-star-gazing-star-makes-a-racket-in-san-diego-tennis/
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/pomerado-news/sdpn-athlete-week-haynes-full-load-rb-tennis-2015oct07-story.html
SOPHIE RAISZADEH
First-Year | 5-6 | Rancho Sante Fe, Calif./Cathedral Catholic H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2019 graduate of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, Calif., where she earned three varsity letters while competing for Head Coach Ron Marquez … Named a Four-Star recruit by Tennisrecruiting.net … Ranked No. 109 nationally by tennisrecruiting.net and No. 123 by TennisRPI in the Class of 2019 rankings … Owns a USTA record of 10-7, including a 3-4 record vs. 4-Star recruits … Advanced to the semifinals of the USTA National Level G16 Level 3 singles bracket at Cary Leeds … Placed third in singles and was a finalist in doubles at the G16 USTA No Quit Tournament in October 2016 … Three-time First Team All-CIF selection … Named CIF Most Outstanding Player Award … Three-time First Team All-Western League selection (2015, 2016 and 2017) … Earned Western League Player of the Year award … Named to the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team in 2017 … Earned Cathedral Catholic's Scholar-Athlete Award in 2017 … Named the Dons' Most Valuable Fall Athlete in 2016 and 2017 … Did not play high school tennis during her senior season … Active in volunteer activities … Founded a non-profit with her three younger siblings: Str8up Kid2Kid, which received national attention for its efforts in teaching thousands of children proper posture habits while using technology … The non-profit also introduced posture correction exercises to reverse the effects of poor posture which is very common in young children and teens.
PERSONAL
Born Sophie Charlotte Raiszadeh on February 25, 2001, in San Diego, Calif. … Daughter of Kam and Shirin Raiszadeh … Has three younger brothers and sisters: Cyrus, KJ and Lily … Father attended the University of California-Berkeley and the University of San Francisco School of Medicine, while mother attended the University of Virginia and Fordham Law School … Mother is a former prosecutor in the Bronx and Manhattan … Aunt Negar Ahkami graduated magna cum laude from Columbia and uncle Bill McNulty competed in cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field (1988-92) and graduated from Princeton … Uncle Kian Raiszadeh played tennis at UC-Berkeley (1993-97) and was named captain as a senior … Competed against Columbia teammates Paulina Ferrari and Jennifer Kerr in junior tennis … Wrote a column for a local magazine about teens who make an impact in the community … Served a social media internship with the United States Tennis Association Girls Under 16/18 National Tournament … Chose to play for Columbia because of Head Coach Ilene Weintraub, who she admires for her passion, pride, and commitment to the team and alma mater … Loves the academics, urban setting, location, energy, people, opportunities, culture, food, history and professional and alumni network that Columbia provides … Selected Columbia over offers from Cornell and Georgetown and was recruited by Brown and Dartmouth … Enrolled at Barnard College.
MICHELLE XU
First-Year | 5-2 | Vienna, Va./James Madison H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2019 graduate of James Madison High School in Vienna, Va., where she played one year of varsity tennis for Head Coach Stacey Reynolds … Five-star recruit … Played primarily on the USTA circuit … Ranked No. 41 nationally in the www.tenniscruiting.net Class of 2019 top-100 rankings and No. 31 player in TennisRPI … Finished with a 16-9 USTA record after playing in five tournaments … Ranked the No. 16 player in the Middle Atlantic states and No. 3 player in Virginia … Second Team All-Region selection in singles … First Team All-District selection in singles and doubles … Played No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles … Earned the Girls Tennis Scholar-Athlete Award … Earned the league's Sportsmanship Award for Girls Tennis … Guided the Warhawks to a team district championship in 2019 … Won individual district singles and doubles titles as a senior in 2019 … Also swam and played soccer … Served as the Senior Speaker for the JMHS Class of 2019 … Nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program … Selected for the Latin Governor's Academy in 2017 … Won school's English award as a junior and senior and Latin award as a sophomore and junior … Involved in the Latin, Science and Rho Kappa National Honor Societies … Involved in a variety of volunteer activities including at a polling place for the 2018 Congressional mid-term elections, Freeman House, working on events including gardening sales and tea parties, children's days and women's suffrage exhibits … Also completed a two-week internship at the University of North America in May 2019, teaching foreign students English … Worked as a tutor in Math, Reading/English and Latin.
PERSONAL
Born Michelle Xu on April 24, 2001, in Singapore … Daughter of Tao Xu and Margaret Wang … Has a younger sister Alice … Mother attended Penn State and father attended Ohio State … Hobbies and interests include playing the violin, reading classical literature and finding new and interesting cuisines and dishes to try … Has played the violin since age seven … Favorite food is ice cream … Favorite home-cooked meal is dumplings … Chose Columbia for its strong classics-based core curriculum, amazing academic opportunities, beautiful campus in New York City and well-run tennis program … Chose Columbia after visiting the campus and after the city, campus and tennis program won her over … Selected Columbia after being recruited by Harvard, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, William & Mary and Navy … Enrolled at Columbia College and plans to major in computer science.
"We are excited about all four newcomers joining our program and cannot wait for them to arrive on campus," Weintraub said. "All four are great individuals and talented players. They will all help maintain our program among the top ranks nationally and help us achieve our goal of winning the Ivy League Championship."
Amineni, Haynes, Raiszadeh and Xu will join 11 returning letterwinners to the Lions including seniors Ali Pollack, Renee Ren and Brianna Williams and juniors Paulina Ferrari, Jennifer Kerr, Sarah Rahman and Christie Wan and sophomores Yekaterina Alferova, Akanksha Bhan, Melissa Sakar, and Caitie Sullivan. Columbia's 2019-20 roster can be found at this link.
Columbia finished 15-4 overall, 4-3 in the Ivy League and concluded the year ranked No. 42 nationally by the ITA in 2018-19.
2019 COLUMBIA WOMEN'S TENNIS SIGNEES
| Player | Height | Hometown/Previous School |
| Shivani Amineni | 5-4 | Hyderabad, India/Meridian School |
| Julia Haynes | 5-7 | San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo H.S. |
| Sophie Raiszadeh | 5-6 | Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Cathedral Catholic H.S. |
| Michelle Xu | 5-2 | Vienna, Va./James Madison H.S. |
SHIVANI AMINENI
First-Year | 5-4 | Hyderabad, India/Meridian School
HIGH SCHOOL
A March 2019 graduate of Meridian School in Hyderabad, India … Two-time Indian National Champion in both singles and doubles … Ranked the No. 1 singles player in India by the AITA rankings … Won Under 18 National Title in both singles and doubles … Won Under 16 National Title in both singles and doubles … A two-time representative of India and played in the International Tennis Federation Asian Juniors in Bangkok … Selected to play in the World Junior Championships, which were played in the Czech Republic … Also selected for the Asian Team and participated in a series of five Young Stars European Under-14 Tournaments in July 2015 and August 2019 … The five tournaments are held in France, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic … According to the ITF, accumulated 74-45 career singles record and 56-37 career doubles record … Ranked the No. 304 current combined player with a career-high of No. 130 … Runner-up in the WTA Future Stars Tournament in Singapore in 2016 … Selected for the Under-16 Indian Team for two years and played in the Fed Cup event in Hungary … Competed in four Indian Tennis Federation Grade 4 Tournaments … Won the New Delhi and Chennai tournaments in 2018, earned runner-up honors in Hyderabad in 2016 and 2017, Chennai in 2015 and Malaysia in 2018 … Won the ITF Grade 3 Doubles title in Pune in 2017 … Played in the 2019 Australian Open Qualifying Egards.
PERSONAL
Born Shivani Amineni on May 17, 2001, in Guntur, India … Daughter of Sathyavathi and Srinivas Amenini … Has an older sister Hashmita … Nickname and preferred name is Shivu … Hobbies and interests include cooking, baking, watching Korean dramas and listening to songs … Competed with and against Columbia teammate Akanksha Bhan … Role model is her father, who has shown loyalty to her family and shown her how to prioritize her life … Favorite sports memory was representing India in the Fed Cup event in Hungary after winning nationals at the Under-18 level … It has always been her dream to play tennis at the professional level, alongside attaining a strong undergraduate degree … Chose Columbia for its strong academic program and to improve on her tennis game … Knew that Columbia was the right fit for her after meeting the people, coaches and team on her visit to the school … The main feature that convinced her to attend Columbia was the team, coaches, facility, and overall program … Selected Columbia over offers from Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell and William & Mary … Enrolled at Columbia College and plans to major in Economics.
ARTICLES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV1yLU1HFQ4
https://www.aitatennis.com/article/sacchitt-sharma-shivani-amineni-make-finals-itf-juniors
JULIA HAYNESFirst-Year | 5-7 | San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2019 graduate of Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, Calif., where she played one year of varsity tennis for Head Coach Mike Parrinello … Ranked No. 27 by tennisrecruiting.net in 2019 … Ranked No. 13 by TennisRPI … Won Southern California Sectionals in 2016 … Advanced to the finals of the National Open Hardcourts Tournament in 2016 … Advanced to the Finals of the Women's National Hardcourts … Won Under-12 singles championship at 2013 USTA National Open … Won both the 2013 Sunset Athletic Club singles and doubles titles in 2013 … Won both the VTC Boys & Girls Winter championships singles and doubles titles .. Won 2012 Sunset Athletic Club singles title … Won PNW Sectionals at the 14 and under age group … Won Little Mo national title in 2011 … Earned Girls' National Hardcourts Sportsmanship Award … Ranked No. 15 in the USTA National Rankings in 2016 … Ranked as high as No. 5 on tennisrecruiting.net Class of 2019 list in 2016 … Ranked No. 1 in Southern California in 2017 … In her one year of high school tennis as a freshman, earned the Southern California Most Improved Player Award in 2016 … Named San Diego Union Tribune Athlete of the Month in 2015 … Led the Broncos to the Palomar League championship in 2015 … Went undefeated in singles as a freshman … Two-time Intersectional champion in 2015 and 2016 … Named Team Most Valuable Player as a freshman … Named F.A.C.E Award at Rancho Bernardo, which honors top-25 grade point average for graduating senior class … Earned the Silver Star Award for students achieving a 4.0 grade point average per quarter … Served as a volunteer coach for a children's tennis clinic.
PERSONAL
Born Julia Sakurako Haynes on June 1, 2001, in Beaverton, Oregon … Daughter of Bill and Hiroko Haynes of San Diego, Calif. … Has an older brother Chris … Began playing tennis at a young age because her parents played the game … Favorite sports memory was advancing to Intersections and competing as a team in high school … Hobbies and interests include playing poker, hiking, traveling, and trying new foods … Fluent in speaking Japanese … Interesting fact about her is that she can ride a unicycle … Role model is former President Barack Obama, who also attended Columbia … Favorite player is Maria Sharapova … Selected Columbia to continue her education and prepare herself for a career in investment banking … Also cited Columbia's beautiful campus, location, core curriculum, great coach and team environment as factors in the decision … Chose Columbia over an offer from Yale … Enrolled at Columbia College and plans to major in Economics.
ARTICLES
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/high-school-preps/sd-sp-preps-julia-haynes-20170802-story.html
https://www.latimes.com/sdpn-athlete-week-haynes-full-load-rb-tennis-2015oct07-story.html
http://92128magazine.com/2016/01/06/julia-haynes-aspires-to-be-a-pro-tennis-player/
https://www.kusi.com/a-star-gazing-star-makes-a-racket-in-san-diego-tennis/
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/pomerado-news/sdpn-athlete-week-haynes-full-load-rb-tennis-2015oct07-story.html
SOPHIE RAISZADEH
First-Year | 5-6 | Rancho Sante Fe, Calif./Cathedral Catholic H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2019 graduate of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, Calif., where she earned three varsity letters while competing for Head Coach Ron Marquez … Named a Four-Star recruit by Tennisrecruiting.net … Ranked No. 109 nationally by tennisrecruiting.net and No. 123 by TennisRPI in the Class of 2019 rankings … Owns a USTA record of 10-7, including a 3-4 record vs. 4-Star recruits … Advanced to the semifinals of the USTA National Level G16 Level 3 singles bracket at Cary Leeds … Placed third in singles and was a finalist in doubles at the G16 USTA No Quit Tournament in October 2016 … Three-time First Team All-CIF selection … Named CIF Most Outstanding Player Award … Three-time First Team All-Western League selection (2015, 2016 and 2017) … Earned Western League Player of the Year award … Named to the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team in 2017 … Earned Cathedral Catholic's Scholar-Athlete Award in 2017 … Named the Dons' Most Valuable Fall Athlete in 2016 and 2017 … Did not play high school tennis during her senior season … Active in volunteer activities … Founded a non-profit with her three younger siblings: Str8up Kid2Kid, which received national attention for its efforts in teaching thousands of children proper posture habits while using technology … The non-profit also introduced posture correction exercises to reverse the effects of poor posture which is very common in young children and teens.
PERSONAL
Born Sophie Charlotte Raiszadeh on February 25, 2001, in San Diego, Calif. … Daughter of Kam and Shirin Raiszadeh … Has three younger brothers and sisters: Cyrus, KJ and Lily … Father attended the University of California-Berkeley and the University of San Francisco School of Medicine, while mother attended the University of Virginia and Fordham Law School … Mother is a former prosecutor in the Bronx and Manhattan … Aunt Negar Ahkami graduated magna cum laude from Columbia and uncle Bill McNulty competed in cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field (1988-92) and graduated from Princeton … Uncle Kian Raiszadeh played tennis at UC-Berkeley (1993-97) and was named captain as a senior … Competed against Columbia teammates Paulina Ferrari and Jennifer Kerr in junior tennis … Wrote a column for a local magazine about teens who make an impact in the community … Served a social media internship with the United States Tennis Association Girls Under 16/18 National Tournament … Chose to play for Columbia because of Head Coach Ilene Weintraub, who she admires for her passion, pride, and commitment to the team and alma mater … Loves the academics, urban setting, location, energy, people, opportunities, culture, food, history and professional and alumni network that Columbia provides … Selected Columbia over offers from Cornell and Georgetown and was recruited by Brown and Dartmouth … Enrolled at Barnard College.
MICHELLE XU
First-Year | 5-2 | Vienna, Va./James Madison H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2019 graduate of James Madison High School in Vienna, Va., where she played one year of varsity tennis for Head Coach Stacey Reynolds … Five-star recruit … Played primarily on the USTA circuit … Ranked No. 41 nationally in the www.tenniscruiting.net Class of 2019 top-100 rankings and No. 31 player in TennisRPI … Finished with a 16-9 USTA record after playing in five tournaments … Ranked the No. 16 player in the Middle Atlantic states and No. 3 player in Virginia … Second Team All-Region selection in singles … First Team All-District selection in singles and doubles … Played No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles … Earned the Girls Tennis Scholar-Athlete Award … Earned the league's Sportsmanship Award for Girls Tennis … Guided the Warhawks to a team district championship in 2019 … Won individual district singles and doubles titles as a senior in 2019 … Also swam and played soccer … Served as the Senior Speaker for the JMHS Class of 2019 … Nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program … Selected for the Latin Governor's Academy in 2017 … Won school's English award as a junior and senior and Latin award as a sophomore and junior … Involved in the Latin, Science and Rho Kappa National Honor Societies … Involved in a variety of volunteer activities including at a polling place for the 2018 Congressional mid-term elections, Freeman House, working on events including gardening sales and tea parties, children's days and women's suffrage exhibits … Also completed a two-week internship at the University of North America in May 2019, teaching foreign students English … Worked as a tutor in Math, Reading/English and Latin.
PERSONAL
Born Michelle Xu on April 24, 2001, in Singapore … Daughter of Tao Xu and Margaret Wang … Has a younger sister Alice … Mother attended Penn State and father attended Ohio State … Hobbies and interests include playing the violin, reading classical literature and finding new and interesting cuisines and dishes to try … Has played the violin since age seven … Favorite food is ice cream … Favorite home-cooked meal is dumplings … Chose Columbia for its strong classics-based core curriculum, amazing academic opportunities, beautiful campus in New York City and well-run tennis program … Chose Columbia after visiting the campus and after the city, campus and tennis program won her over … Selected Columbia after being recruited by Harvard, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, William & Mary and Navy … Enrolled at Columbia College and plans to major in computer science.
Players Mentioned
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Columbia Classics Shorts - Women's Tennis 2013 Ivy League Championship
Monday, April 12
