Danielle Quevedo wanted to play college tennis at a Division I school. It was her goal from an early age and the Grace Community senior made it a reality Wednesday afternoon, signing to play tennis at the University of New Mexico.
Surrounded by her parents, Quevedo put pen to paper at a special ceremony in front of hundreds of students, faculty and media at Grace Community's conference room.
"Whenever I went (to New Mexico) and visited it was the perfect fit," said Quevedo, who is a two-time TAPPS state champion. "I have been wanting to go D-I since I was a little girl, so it (worked out perfectly).
"It's super exciting. It is something I have been working toward for my entire life."
Quevedo is currently ranked No. 9 in the state for girls by the USTA and has been as high as No. 1 in Texas for singles and doubles. She is the defending state champion for TAPPS 4A girls singles, and did not drop a set last year at the state tournament. Quevedo also won state as a freshman. She has an opportunity in the spring to notch a third state singles title in four years.
As for New Mexico, Quevedo is excited about the future.
"I am hoping to go pre-med and I want to be a dentist one day," Quevedo said. "I want to continue to get better in college and grow as a player. Hopefully I will start out in the lineup and get to play singles and doubles in the fall and it will be good."
Danielle joins older sister Marissa, who signed a scholarship for tennis in 2013 to Seton Hall.