To put it simply, college tennis is in my blood.
My mom, an Argentina native, came to the United States to play college tennis at Duquesne University. My dad was born in Columbus, Ohio, but played his college years at Rollins College. My older sister played at William & Mary. My brother, not a college tennis player himself, grew up playing everything he could. I followed suit and wanted to be just like him.
Together, we were surrounded by athletics and competition. My parents showed us what it looked like to work hard and obsess over the fundamentals. Technique meant more than titles and championships. We grew up in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, not a big town by any means, but a great upbringing for athletics. My dad was the director of a nearby tennis club, and my mom worked alongside him. They taught lessons from early in the morning to late at night. All day, every day.
From a young age, I was right there with them. I watched all kind of skill sets and talents walk through the doors – from beginners to high schoolers to collegiate players. I loved everything about the daily tennis environment I found myself in. Even then, I loved the individuality of tennis. If you win, it’s all on you, and if you lose, it’s all on you. Nothing could replicate that pressure and thrill.
Around 10 years old, I enrolled in exclusive online schooling, and I continued through high school. In fifth grade, I remember my mom telling me, “If you want to play college tennis, and maybe professionally one day, you’re going to have to put in the work.” I didn’t have to think twice about it.
“Let’s do it,” I told her. “I’m ready to commit to this full-time.”
Sure, it was a sacrifice, and I did miss out on a lot of things. School dances, Friday night football games, after-school hangouts. But my days were now consumed by tennis. I had training, practice and weights in the morning before shifting to an afternoon of classes and schoolwork. Most of my days were spent at the tennis club, watching my mom give lessons well into the night, while I worked on my game on a nearby court. This was the routine that paved the way.
My mom is the one who taught me everything I know about tennis. We never chased a title or a ranking. She always instilled in me that when I call it quits one day, and when I hang up my racquet for good, I can say I learned as much from this game that I could. That’s more satisfying than any ranking or status I may have held.
I really started playing tournaments when I was around 15 years old. I only played a handful a year. Above all else, my mom wanted to me enjoy the process. I’d play a tournament, and then we’d go tweak my game in practice and training. I really didn’t have great results, but we weren’t chasing them anyway.
That all changed at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s National Championships in San Diego. All the top college coaches are there to recruit, and I knew this was a pivotal moment for me. Fortunately, I had a pretty good weekend. I played well and made it to the finals. On a stage with huge implications, I was extremely pleased with where my game was. Meeting Billie Jean King was an added bonus.
When I flew back home to Pittsburgh, I was so drained from the long weekend out west. I had played in over a half-dozen high-intensity matches in front of some of the top college coaches. I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I returned home. The next day, I opened my email and was stunned to find numerous college coaches reaching out.
“Congrats on the big weekend!”
“You played great!”
“Have you thought about your plans for college?”
“Any interests in taking a visit here?”
All of these college coaches thought I could help their program. I’d never seen my inbox so full. It was such a cool feeling.
From there, we started communicating with schools. I put a list together of programs I could envision myself competing for. We took a couple of visits and met with different coaches and programs shortly after.
On my third visit, we went to Ohio State. Immediately, I knew I was home. I took my Dad with me on this one, because I knew it’d mean a lot to him as a Columbus native. The girls were so great, the coaches were welcoming and the facilities were breathtaking. I really could see myself as a Buckeye. Head coach Melissa Schaub and associate head coach Adam Cohen could not have been more accommodating. Irina Cantos, a highly decorated college tennis player herself, was my co-host on the visit. Everything she told me aligned with what I wanted to do in college.
We went to a football game that Saturday night to close our trip. It was the perfect day to wrap the most amazing visit. I felt sad leaving, and I woke up the next day knowing what I had to do.
I called Melissa and told her, “I’m going to be a Buckeye. I’m coming to Ohio State.” That was the most special feeling and phone call.
I can’t stress enough how great college tennis has been for me. My day-to-day reminds me of my upbringing; the practices, workouts, recovery, but I get to do it alongside the best teammates, coaches and support staff. And collectively, we get to represent the Buckeyes. It’s everything that makes college tennis so special.
My team has been there for me in the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
In my first team match of my college career, we went down to Norman to play Oklahoma. The Sooners are always tough and have a great home court advantage. I remembered seeing fans come in and quickly pack the stands. The atmosphere was unlike anything I had experienced as a tennis player before. The cheers and chants lasted the entire match. I ended up clinching the match, 4-3, and I’ll never forget my teammates sprinting to me to celebrate. That video still brings a smile to my face.
I had a great freshman year, but I knew the expectations ramped up entering my sophomore year. For the first time, I felt pressure to win, and to be honest, I struggled with this. I played my first ITA All-American Championships that fall, and lost in the early rounds. I was met with nerves and anxiety I hadn’t ever experienced before. It was definitely one of the first low moments I faced in college.
Several months later, we traveled to Ann Arbor to play Michigan. There’s no rivalry in college sports quite like Michigan-Ohio State. I got clinched on to lose the match, 4-3. It was as devastated as I’ve felt after a loss. I felt like I let everyone around me down. Even several days later, when we played at Michigan State, I couldn’t shake the feeling. I lost in three sets.
Again, it was my teammates and coaches who lifted me up when I needed it most. They knew how much I cared, and I knew they had my back. With that trust, I was confident better days were to come.
In April 2025, we beat Michigan, 4-3, to win the Big Ten Championship in Ojai, California. I’ll never forget the euphoria when Nao Nishino clinched it. She saved two match points and just refused to lose. When she did clinch it, I felt like I was floating. I was crying and hugging my teammates and thought, ‘This is the coolest thing that could happen to me here at Ohio State.’
I know my time as a college tennis player is dwindling. I don’t have any expectations for the year ahead. I simply want to enjoy it.
That’s how I’m approaching next week’s ITA Women’s All-American Championships in Cary. I want to enjoy it. I want to have fun. People are asking me, as a higher seed in this tournament, if I feel pressure, but I feel like I’ve blocked that out. I feel like a kid again; not lost in the chase for a title but focused on my process. It’s what’s gotten me to where I am today. Being a good teammate and enjoying our time together is my focus.
My mom used to tell me, “Tennis is life.” I’d always say, “No, it’s not. Tennis is tennis!”
But as I’ve gotten older, I realize she’s been right about so many things. Tennis is life because it exposes who you are as a person. Your true character and values are shown in tennis. It’s a very fair sport; if you’re a good person, you work hard and you’re disciplined, good things will come. You can’t hide who you are on the tennis court.
It’s been instilled in me for as long as I can remember.
-Luciana Perry, Ohio State Women’s Tennis
