Boise State Athletics
Roghaar Signs Portuguese International Joana Baptista to NLI
5/1/2019 3:53:00 PM | Women's Tennis
BOISE, Idaho – The Boise State women's tennis team announced the signing of its second new recruit of the year in Joana Baptista who signed a National Letter of Intent with the Broncos.
"I chose Boise State because I really liked talking with the coaches," said Baptista. "I feel that they are excellent professionals with a great mindset and I love the culture that they adopt, which reflects on their work and on the people that surround them, making me believe that BSU is an opportunity that I should grab. Most of all, I'm excited because I feel this is the place where I can grow as a person and player and have an incredible college experience."
Baptista will come to Boise from Porto, Portugal, bringing with her an impressive track record. She is ranked nationally in the top five for the Portuguese Senior division. In addition, Baptista had a stellar juniors career as she was ranked first in U18s and second in both the U12 and U14 divisions.Â
"Joana comes to join our program having been the top junior in Portugal, a country with a strong and rich tennis tradition," said Bronco head coach Beck Roghaar. "She has a very versatile game style and one that isn't common, so I love what she brings to the table in terms of her tennis. It looks very natural for her out there and she can do so many different things with the ball in both singles and doubles. We see her making an impact in both lineups right away."Â Â
Among Baptista's many accomplishments are winning the 2018 Team U18 National Championship; winning the 2018 Campeonato Júnior Vale do Sousa (Junior Championship Vale do Sousa), a grade A level event; and the 2018 Porto Open Junior Championship, grade B event. In addition, she has won one international title in doubles the U14 TE (2015), and was runner-up in doubles at the Portuguese National Championship three times.
"This opportunity means a lot to me and I truly appreciate the coaches for believing in me," said Baptista. "I hope I can get as many victories as possible for the team and I hope I can contribute to the team in every way I can."
Baptista will join fellow recruits Mae McCutcheon and Ana Conde-Vendrell as part of the three-player class coming to Boise next season.Â
When asked about the coaches Baptsita said, "Coach Roghaar and coach Lopez are two amazing coaches who push the team to be the best it can be and who try to be the best version of themselves everyday too. I think they are great and dedicated people with a lot of knowledge and hunger to do more, which are great qualities, especially crucial when leading a team."
On the sport of tennis, "Tennis is my biggest passion because of its challenge and complexity, it´s simply the most unique sport in the world. I love competing precisely because of that. The challenge on the court moves me and the feeling of leaving it all there, of sacrificing and trying to overcome yourself and your opponent is incredible, I feel privileged to play this sport.
"I chose Boise State because I really liked talking with the coaches," said Baptista. "I feel that they are excellent professionals with a great mindset and I love the culture that they adopt, which reflects on their work and on the people that surround them, making me believe that BSU is an opportunity that I should grab. Most of all, I'm excited because I feel this is the place where I can grow as a person and player and have an incredible college experience."
Baptista will come to Boise from Porto, Portugal, bringing with her an impressive track record. She is ranked nationally in the top five for the Portuguese Senior division. In addition, Baptista had a stellar juniors career as she was ranked first in U18s and second in both the U12 and U14 divisions.Â
"Joana comes to join our program having been the top junior in Portugal, a country with a strong and rich tennis tradition," said Bronco head coach Beck Roghaar. "She has a very versatile game style and one that isn't common, so I love what she brings to the table in terms of her tennis. It looks very natural for her out there and she can do so many different things with the ball in both singles and doubles. We see her making an impact in both lineups right away."Â Â
Among Baptista's many accomplishments are winning the 2018 Team U18 National Championship; winning the 2018 Campeonato Júnior Vale do Sousa (Junior Championship Vale do Sousa), a grade A level event; and the 2018 Porto Open Junior Championship, grade B event. In addition, she has won one international title in doubles the U14 TE (2015), and was runner-up in doubles at the Portuguese National Championship three times.
"This opportunity means a lot to me and I truly appreciate the coaches for believing in me," said Baptista. "I hope I can get as many victories as possible for the team and I hope I can contribute to the team in every way I can."
Baptista will join fellow recruits Mae McCutcheon and Ana Conde-Vendrell as part of the three-player class coming to Boise next season.Â
When asked about the coaches Baptsita said, "Coach Roghaar and coach Lopez are two amazing coaches who push the team to be the best it can be and who try to be the best version of themselves everyday too. I think they are great and dedicated people with a lot of knowledge and hunger to do more, which are great qualities, especially crucial when leading a team."
On the sport of tennis, "Tennis is my biggest passion because of its challenge and complexity, it´s simply the most unique sport in the world. I love competing precisely because of that. The challenge on the court moves me and the feeling of leaving it all there, of sacrificing and trying to overcome yourself and your opponent is incredible, I feel privileged to play this sport.
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