Missouri Western tennis coach Tom Smith has announced the signing of two international student-athletes for the 2015 season. Sarah Giraldo a junior college transfer from Cali, Columbia comes to Missouri Western from Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kan. while Yasmine El Ghazi from Oujda, Morocco comes to MWSU from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan.
Giraldo, a 5-9, junior college transfer from Cali, Colombia played her high school tennis at Colegio Jefferson HS in Cali, Colombia. She transfers to Missouri Western from Cowley College. This past season she helped her team to a 4th place finish at the NJCAA Division I National Tennis Championships held in Tyler, Texas. The forth place finish ties the accomplishments of the 2007 and 2010 teams. Giraldo made it to the consolation finals where she fell at No. 2 singles. She went 3-2 in singles competition at the National Tournament. In No. 3 doubles she and her partner fell in the semifinals. As a freshman she made an appearance at the Wilson/ITA Small College National Tournament where she was a quarterfianalist at the No. 3 doubles position. She is the daughter of Raul Giraldo and Maria Claudia Betancourt and plans on majoring in business marketing.
“Sarah has the length and athletic ability to become a very competitive two or three in our line up.” commented Coach Smith.
El Ghazi, a 5-6, transfer from Oujda, Morocco played her high school tennis at Zi Ri Ben Atia in Oujda, Morocco. She transfers from Johnson County CC. El Ghazi will have three years of eligibility at MWSU. As a freshman she earned a No. 31 ITA singles ranking making her the only women’s player on JCCC’s 2014 roster to earn a preseason national ranking. She is an extremely strong player with great athleticism. She has a strong forehand when her serve is on it is her greatest weapon. She is the daughter of Jalil and Islem and her brother Yassir playes tennis for Rockhurst Univeristy. She plans on majoring in accounting.
“Yasmine can step in at #1 or #2 and when she is healthy she can be very competitive,” said Smith. “She has a great serve and is very athletic.”
— MWSU Sports Information —