The transition was not supposed to be easy. Lindsey Nash was the only incoming freshman on a veteran women's tennis team, and she never played on an actual team because her high school was too small.
Enter Nash into the fall of her freshman year at Boston College. As a pre-law student, academics were supposed to be overwhelming. Adding the challenges of collegiate athletics, Nash was expected to take her time adjusting and finding a balance.
But the transition took no time at all. Nash ended up winning seven of her 10 singles matches in the fall to tally the most victories on the team. In the biggest tournament of the fall, the ITA Eastern Regional Championships, she advanced to the second round before losing to the third-seeded Megan Muth of William and Mary.
She also had success with doubles partner junior Morgan Landes. The two reached the semifinals of the USTA Invitational, after battling back from 7-2 down in the eight-game pro set format, only to lose 8-6.
Nash's early success hides the fact that she is still adjusting. "I'm still learning what it is to be a college tennis player because it's a lot different than junior tennis, where it's all about you," said Nash.
During her junior tennis career, it was very much all about her. As a standout from southern California, Nash was ranked as high as seventh in her state and 28th in the country.
Playing competitively since age 11, she attributes her love of the game to her grandfather, who taught tennis, and her father, who played in college and on professional tours overseas. Nash and her father have even paired up to compete in father/daughter tournaments prior to her arrival in Chestnut Hill. The two consistently medaled at national tournaments and were ranked as high as third in the country.
With tennis running deep in the roots of the Nash family, it's no surprise the talented freshman has performed so well in her first season at BC.
"Lindsey is off to a really good start and has a chance to have a really solid career," said head coach Nigel Bentley.
Bentley found Nash at the Clay Court National Championships in Memphis and realized she would make a great addition to his team. After narrowing her options, Nash chose BC over Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Purdue. She cited BC's balance between athletics and academics. "She is a solid student athlete in every definition of the word," said Bentley.
Bentley's excitement for his new star is partially a result of her enthusiasm and positive attitude, but he also sees great aspects of Nash's tennis game. He describes her game as really clean with good variety, and notes that she hits a very heavy ball. Bentley said he appreciates that she is always a tough competitor.
Nash said she is hard on herself when critiquing her own game. A self-defined baseline grinder, she is working on her all-court game by coming to net more and, as Bentley said, using the whole toolbox. Nash said she likes the model of tennis that Martina Hingis brought to the court and works diligently toward that example.
The freshman continues to improve her net play by competing in doubles matches. While on the junior circuit, she paired up with her best friend from home, who will be attending BC next year.
Although it was supposed to be hard adjusting to a new doubles partner, Nash had little trouble teaming up with Landes. With the success the two have garnered, it is obvious that Nash has improved her all-around game.
"She is energetic, which is good in doubles," said Landes. "We work well and feed off each other's strengths which give us more confidence."
Bentley spent the fall season trying to find doubles combinations that worked well in preparation for the dual match season. He has yet to decide on exact pairings but the success of Nash and Landes could very well hold. "We have so much fun and our games complement each other," said Nash.
Nash has found out quickly how worthwhile the team atmosphere can be. She loves the camaraderie with teammates and the advice and support they give each other. And her teammates are just as excited to have her.
"She is a great addition to team and has a lot of time to improve over the next four years," said Landes.
It is the combination of her talent and potential that has Bentley thinking she could be the missing link to a veteran team poised to be one of the best in the program's history.
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