North Carolina State University Athletics
CARR: A Long Way From Home
3/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
By A.J. CARR
RALEIGH — They arrived at NC State in 2008, foreign students in a strange land.
But Akash Gujarati and Sandhya Nagaraj -- far from their India home -- have found a comfort zone in Wolfpack Country.
On the tennis court, Gujarati has provided solid depth for the 10-3 Wolfpack men’s team while Nagaraj plays No. 1 for the women and ranks 64th nationally in singles. Both are successful in the classroom as well, Gujarati as an engineering student and Nagaraj as a sports management major.
The long-time friends didn’t have an agreement to attend the same college, but they tend to land in the same spots.
Back home they trained at the same tennis academy. When their coach moved to Spain, they followed him there. Now, here they are in the Wolfpack’s lair.
“It’s easier to settle down when somebody’s (around) you know; it’s like they’ve got your back,’’ said Gujarati, who was surprised, yet glad Nagaraj came to Raleigh.
Gujarati discovered State several years ago through family ties. His aunt (Manisha Bagade) lives in Cary, where he rooms. His older brother, Kshitij, played tennis at UNC-Greensboro, which led to the Wolfpack connection.
Kshitij considered transferring to State, and during a visit, told coach Jon Choboy he had a younger brother who was a more talented player. So the Pack started recruiting Akash and could offer engineering in addition to an athletic scholarship.
Meanwhile, the widely-traveled Nagaraj, who was playing ITF tournaments in Europe, decided she wanted to go to college. Wavering between Washington and State, she talked with several people -- including Gujarati -- and signed late with the Wolfpack.
“I told her it was a nice campus, told her about the Centennial Campus, that we had a very nice indoor tennis facility,” Gujarati said.
Hello America! Nagaraj came with her attacking game.
She’s one of five foreign players on the women’s team. On the men’s roster, eight of 11 are from other countries. That’s tennis, a global game, and American colleges have long been strengthened by recruits from outside the U.S.
GROUP BENEFITS
After traveling alone on the tour, Nagaraj revels in the team concept, the camaraderie, and college life in general.
“The coaches and team are behind you,’’ she said. “Ten other girls and friends watch every match. On the pro tour there was a lot of pressure. To study and play took so much pressure off. Tennis is not the only thing I’m doing. I’m enjoying it here.”
And the Pack is enjoying having her.
After sitting out the 2008--2009 season because of NCAA regulations, Nagaraj compiled an 11-4 singles record in the fall. This spring she’s in the swing of things again, going 7-3 in singles and 6-4 in doubles.
Her repertoire includes a strong serve, steady backhand, and a boom-or-bust attitude about going for forehand winners.
“I’m not someone who is patient on the court,’’ she said.
Najaraj doesn’t have to wait. She has the tools to dictate tempo, to impose her style on the opposition.
“She’s overall aggressive, wins a lot of free points on her serve, takes the ball early,’’ said coach Hans Olsen. “She’s a great competitor and complements the team. She’s a good character person, has a nice smile, has learned how to communicate with the other girls. She has adjusted to the environment well.”
Nagaraj’s world is bigger than a tennis court. She carries an overall 3.0 grade point average and is an avid book reader, having recently delved into “Twilight.” And like most college students, she likes to hang out with friends, which includes a contingent from India.
After completing undergraduate work, Nagaraj -- the only child of S. Nagara and Ranjani Nagara -- wants to get a masters at State, “probably in marketing.”
“She will do great in graduate school and beyond,” Olsen predicted. "She's very smart."
SMARTS & STROKES
Little Akash Gujarati had a passion for soccer, calling it “probably my favorite” game. But his parents guided him toward tennis at a young age. Turns out, he has gotten a big kick out of the racket sport.
At 5-foot-7, Gujarati still utilizes his fast soccer feet to cover the court. Primarily a baseline battler, he’s fit and able to endure long rallies. He a golden retriever who would run to Cary to chase down a shot.
“He makes you earn everything,’’ Choboy said. “He’s very tough, very fast, uses his speed and passes well. We are working on his offensive game, trying to make his service better -- and his service management. (But) I’m real pleased with what he has done.”
Gujarati got off to a solid start this spring, posting a 5-2 record at No. 5 and No. 6 singles and going 4-1 as a third doubles team member.
One of his finest moments came in a 7-5, 6-2 win over Michigan's Chris Cha, which gave State an upset victory over No. 33-ranked Wolverines.
Gujarati hits the books as hard as he cracks a backhand. As part of his engineering curriculum, he’s doing research on renewable energy, which is not to be confused with serving and volleying.
His grade point average registers at a perfect 4.0, but is actually higher than that.
“He’s off the chart academically,’’ Choboy said. “He’s a very smart kid, probably the best academically I’ve ever had on any team. He works hard and takes care of business.”
Because of student-athletes like Gujarati -- and Nagaraj -- expect NC State coaches to keep checking the courts in India.
RALEIGH — They arrived at NC State in 2008, foreign students in a strange land.
But Akash Gujarati and Sandhya Nagaraj -- far from their India home -- have found a comfort zone in Wolfpack Country.
On the tennis court, Gujarati has provided solid depth for the 10-3 Wolfpack men’s team while Nagaraj plays No. 1 for the women and ranks 64th nationally in singles. Both are successful in the classroom as well, Gujarati as an engineering student and Nagaraj as a sports management major.
The long-time friends didn’t have an agreement to attend the same college, but they tend to land in the same spots.
Back home they trained at the same tennis academy. When their coach moved to Spain, they followed him there. Now, here they are in the Wolfpack’s lair.
“It’s easier to settle down when somebody’s (around) you know; it’s like they’ve got your back,’’ said Gujarati, who was surprised, yet glad Nagaraj came to Raleigh.
Gujarati discovered State several years ago through family ties. His aunt (Manisha Bagade) lives in Cary, where he rooms. His older brother, Kshitij, played tennis at UNC-Greensboro, which led to the Wolfpack connection.
Kshitij considered transferring to State, and during a visit, told coach Jon Choboy he had a younger brother who was a more talented player. So the Pack started recruiting Akash and could offer engineering in addition to an athletic scholarship.
Meanwhile, the widely-traveled Nagaraj, who was playing ITF tournaments in Europe, decided she wanted to go to college. Wavering between Washington and State, she talked with several people -- including Gujarati -- and signed late with the Wolfpack.
“I told her it was a nice campus, told her about the Centennial Campus, that we had a very nice indoor tennis facility,” Gujarati said.
Hello America! Nagaraj came with her attacking game.
She’s one of five foreign players on the women’s team. On the men’s roster, eight of 11 are from other countries. That’s tennis, a global game, and American colleges have long been strengthened by recruits from outside the U.S.
GROUP BENEFITS
After traveling alone on the tour, Nagaraj revels in the team concept, the camaraderie, and college life in general.
“The coaches and team are behind you,’’ she said. “Ten other girls and friends watch every match. On the pro tour there was a lot of pressure. To study and play took so much pressure off. Tennis is not the only thing I’m doing. I’m enjoying it here.”
And the Pack is enjoying having her.
After sitting out the 2008--2009 season because of NCAA regulations, Nagaraj compiled an 11-4 singles record in the fall. This spring she’s in the swing of things again, going 7-3 in singles and 6-4 in doubles.
Her repertoire includes a strong serve, steady backhand, and a boom-or-bust attitude about going for forehand winners.
“I’m not someone who is patient on the court,’’ she said.
Najaraj doesn’t have to wait. She has the tools to dictate tempo, to impose her style on the opposition.
“She’s overall aggressive, wins a lot of free points on her serve, takes the ball early,’’ said coach Hans Olsen. “She’s a great competitor and complements the team. She’s a good character person, has a nice smile, has learned how to communicate with the other girls. She has adjusted to the environment well.”
Nagaraj’s world is bigger than a tennis court. She carries an overall 3.0 grade point average and is an avid book reader, having recently delved into “Twilight.” And like most college students, she likes to hang out with friends, which includes a contingent from India.
After completing undergraduate work, Nagaraj -- the only child of S. Nagara and Ranjani Nagara -- wants to get a masters at State, “probably in marketing.”
“She will do great in graduate school and beyond,” Olsen predicted. "She's very smart."
SMARTS & STROKES
Little Akash Gujarati had a passion for soccer, calling it “probably my favorite” game. But his parents guided him toward tennis at a young age. Turns out, he has gotten a big kick out of the racket sport.
At 5-foot-7, Gujarati still utilizes his fast soccer feet to cover the court. Primarily a baseline battler, he’s fit and able to endure long rallies. He a golden retriever who would run to Cary to chase down a shot.
“He makes you earn everything,’’ Choboy said. “He’s very tough, very fast, uses his speed and passes well. We are working on his offensive game, trying to make his service better -- and his service management. (But) I’m real pleased with what he has done.”
Gujarati got off to a solid start this spring, posting a 5-2 record at No. 5 and No. 6 singles and going 4-1 as a third doubles team member.
One of his finest moments came in a 7-5, 6-2 win over Michigan's Chris Cha, which gave State an upset victory over No. 33-ranked Wolverines.
Gujarati hits the books as hard as he cracks a backhand. As part of his engineering curriculum, he’s doing research on renewable energy, which is not to be confused with serving and volleying.
His grade point average registers at a perfect 4.0, but is actually higher than that.
“He’s off the chart academically,’’ Choboy said. “He’s a very smart kid, probably the best academically I’ve ever had on any team. He works hard and takes care of business.”
Because of student-athletes like Gujarati -- and Nagaraj -- expect NC State coaches to keep checking the courts in India.
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