Xavier University Athletics
Ella DeFord Signs with Women's Tennis
11.14.24 | Women's Tennis
No. 68 ranked player in 2025 class comes to Xavier from Mount Pleasant, S.C.
CINCINNATI - Xavier women's tennis head coach Doug Matthews announced the signing of Ella DeFord out of Mount Plesant, S.C., in the Fall 2024 signing period. DeFord will join the Musketeers in Fall 2025.
"I'm excited to welcome Ella to the Xavier tennis family!" said Matthews. "It was clear during the recruiting process that Ella is a perfect fit for our program and Xavier University. Her work ethic is one of the best I have seen from a high school player. She has a lot of upside in her game and she is already playing at a high level. She really got along well with the team on her visit and will add to the great culture we have built. I'm excited for Ella to get on campus next fall and help us continue to compete for BIG EAST Championships!"
DeFord, who comes to Xavier from Oceanside Collegiate Academy, is the No. 68 ranked player in the 2025 recruiting class. During her prep career, she has helped her team to three state championships, in 2022, 2021 and in 2020 as an eighth grader. She also won a pair of individual state championships in 2022 and 2021.
At the L2 Team Event in October 2024, she went undefeated in singles and doubles. She was also an ITF Junior Quarterfinalist in October 2024, and advanced to the L1 Round of 16 at the 18s National Clay Court Championships.
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"I'm excited to welcome Ella to the Xavier tennis family!" said Matthews. "It was clear during the recruiting process that Ella is a perfect fit for our program and Xavier University. Her work ethic is one of the best I have seen from a high school player. She has a lot of upside in her game and she is already playing at a high level. She really got along well with the team on her visit and will add to the great culture we have built. I'm excited for Ella to get on campus next fall and help us continue to compete for BIG EAST Championships!"
DeFord, who comes to Xavier from Oceanside Collegiate Academy, is the No. 68 ranked player in the 2025 recruiting class. During her prep career, she has helped her team to three state championships, in 2022, 2021 and in 2020 as an eighth grader. She also won a pair of individual state championships in 2022 and 2021.
At the L2 Team Event in October 2024, she went undefeated in singles and doubles. She was also an ITF Junior Quarterfinalist in October 2024, and advanced to the L1 Round of 16 at the 18s National Clay Court Championships.
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