Pollard Adds Raath on National Signing Day
11/13/2024 9:50:00 AM | Women's Tennis
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern women's tennis has inked Marelie Raath on National Signing Day, head coach Claire Pollard announced on Wednesday. Raath, out of Great Britain, will join the Wildcats next fall in Evanston.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have Marelie join the squad," said Pollard, "she's tenacious, gritty, and plays with passion and heart. She really gelled with the team on her visit and there's no doubt she's going to be an integral part of our program."
A talented athlete in many sports, Raath comes to Northwestern after an accomplished juniors career that included numerous local and national titles. Ranked as high as ninth in the country, she has won six ITF juniors titles in doubles and earned a finals appearance in many more. After representing England in the Junior Home Nations Championship in 2019, she competed under her home flag again at Wimbledon in 2023 girls' qualifying. Raath's full bio can be found below.
MARELIE RAATH
St. Albans, England • Sandringham School
High School: High ITF Junior ranking of #181… High u18 LTA Great British ranking of #9… won six ITF junior doubles titles… competed in 2023 Wimbledon Junior qualifying… u18 and women's Hertfordshire Summer National Cup title-winner… British Tour Newport winner… TS Open National Doubles Champion… Premier British Tour doubles Runner-Up… represented England in the Junior Home Nations Championship in 2019… four-year captain in tennis at school… named the 2022 and 2024 Sports Personality of the Year at Sandringham School… received the Laing Award from Hertfordshire, awarded for team spirit, commitment and loyalty towards the county… earned 2019 Player of the Year honors in soccer and was a three-time Player of the Season in netball as well…also competed in cross country, badminton, table tennis, rounders, track and field, and basketball… ran against current Northwestern cross country athlete Deepti Choudhury… holds dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and South Africa… anticipated major is economics.
Raath on Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because I want to be a part of a team where there is a culture of strong values, winning mentality, dedication and commitment. Northwestern is a place where I think I can grow and develop as a tennis player and a person. The outstanding academics is also where I see myself thriving."
"We are absolutely thrilled to have Marelie join the squad," said Pollard, "she's tenacious, gritty, and plays with passion and heart. She really gelled with the team on her visit and there's no doubt she's going to be an integral part of our program."
A talented athlete in many sports, Raath comes to Northwestern after an accomplished juniors career that included numerous local and national titles. Ranked as high as ninth in the country, she has won six ITF juniors titles in doubles and earned a finals appearance in many more. After representing England in the Junior Home Nations Championship in 2019, she competed under her home flag again at Wimbledon in 2023 girls' qualifying. Raath's full bio can be found below.
???????????????? ??@MarelieRaath is a Wildcat! ?? pic.twitter.com/12hohoNsq3
— NU Women's Tennis (@NUWildcatTennis) November 13, 2024
MARELIE RAATH
St. Albans, England • Sandringham School
High School: High ITF Junior ranking of #181… High u18 LTA Great British ranking of #9… won six ITF junior doubles titles… competed in 2023 Wimbledon Junior qualifying… u18 and women's Hertfordshire Summer National Cup title-winner… British Tour Newport winner… TS Open National Doubles Champion… Premier British Tour doubles Runner-Up… represented England in the Junior Home Nations Championship in 2019… four-year captain in tennis at school… named the 2022 and 2024 Sports Personality of the Year at Sandringham School… received the Laing Award from Hertfordshire, awarded for team spirit, commitment and loyalty towards the county… earned 2019 Player of the Year honors in soccer and was a three-time Player of the Season in netball as well…also competed in cross country, badminton, table tennis, rounders, track and field, and basketball… ran against current Northwestern cross country athlete Deepti Choudhury… holds dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and South Africa… anticipated major is economics.
Raath on Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because I want to be a part of a team where there is a culture of strong values, winning mentality, dedication and commitment. Northwestern is a place where I think I can grow and develop as a tennis player and a person. The outstanding academics is also where I see myself thriving."
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