Xavier University Athletics
Women's Tennis Adds Two Recruits for 2020-21 Season
11.13.19 | Women's Tennis
CINCINNATI- Xavier women's tennis head coach Doug Matthews announced the addition of two players to the 2020-21 roster. The Musketeers signed 5-star recruit Imani Graham and 4-star recruit Blessing Nwaozuzu.
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"I am excited to welcome Imani and Blessing to the Xavier tennis family," said Matthews. "First and foremost, they are great people. They are some of the most well-liked and respected junior players around. They are both going to be difference makers on the tennis court and help us continue to compete for Big East Championships. They are also great students and will continue to grow our already strong team culture. Xavier will definitely be a better place when they are here!"
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Graham is from St. Johns, Florida (Creekside High School) and is currently ranked No. 53 in the country. The 5-star recruit has been ranked as high as No. 7 nationally according to tennisrecruiting.net and was a Girls 16s Orange Bowl Singles Finalist. Graham was a 2019 FHSAA Individual State Champion and was named a member of the All-County Girls Tennis Team in 2019. She was also the St. John's County Player of the Year in 2019 and won the National Sportsmanship award in 2016.
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"I chose Xavier because it checked off all of the boxes on my checklist and more," Graham said. "I absolutely love the family atmosphere, beautiful campus and facilities, and location of the school. To top it off, the coaching and team are amazing. It is the perfect place for me to continue my academic and tennis career."
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Nwaozuzu joins Graham as a 4-star recruit from Orange, Ohio (Orange High School). She is currently ranked No. 86 in the country and has a high ranking of No. 61 nationally according to tennisrecruiting.net. Nwaozuzu was a 2019 Midwest L2 Open Champion and was CVC Conference player of the year in 2018 and 2019. She is also a three-time Ohio High School State Qualifier and placed fourth in Ohio in 2018.
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"The moment I got to Xavier, I felt like it would be the perfect place to spend the next four years of my life," Nwaozuzu said. "The team was amazing and friendly, and I instantly felt a connection with [coach Matthews]. In addition, my grandma was a devout Catholic and this being a Catholic school was just an added bonus."
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"I am excited to welcome Imani and Blessing to the Xavier tennis family," said Matthews. "First and foremost, they are great people. They are some of the most well-liked and respected junior players around. They are both going to be difference makers on the tennis court and help us continue to compete for Big East Championships. They are also great students and will continue to grow our already strong team culture. Xavier will definitely be a better place when they are here!"
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Graham is from St. Johns, Florida (Creekside High School) and is currently ranked No. 53 in the country. The 5-star recruit has been ranked as high as No. 7 nationally according to tennisrecruiting.net and was a Girls 16s Orange Bowl Singles Finalist. Graham was a 2019 FHSAA Individual State Champion and was named a member of the All-County Girls Tennis Team in 2019. She was also the St. John's County Player of the Year in 2019 and won the National Sportsmanship award in 2016.
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"I chose Xavier because it checked off all of the boxes on my checklist and more," Graham said. "I absolutely love the family atmosphere, beautiful campus and facilities, and location of the school. To top it off, the coaching and team are amazing. It is the perfect place for me to continue my academic and tennis career."
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Nwaozuzu joins Graham as a 4-star recruit from Orange, Ohio (Orange High School). She is currently ranked No. 86 in the country and has a high ranking of No. 61 nationally according to tennisrecruiting.net. Nwaozuzu was a 2019 Midwest L2 Open Champion and was CVC Conference player of the year in 2018 and 2019. She is also a three-time Ohio High School State Qualifier and placed fourth in Ohio in 2018.
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"The moment I got to Xavier, I felt like it would be the perfect place to spend the next four years of my life," Nwaozuzu said. "The team was amazing and friendly, and I instantly felt a connection with [coach Matthews]. In addition, my grandma was a devout Catholic and this being a Catholic school was just an added bonus."
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INTERVIEWS | Imani Graham and Anna Roggenburk (WTEN NCAA)
Monday, May 01
2022 Women's Tennis Selection Show
Tuesday, May 03
2020 - Hall of Fame Inductees
Monday, January 13
Doug Matthews - Women's Tennis Preview
Wednesday, September 12