Grace Community senior Danielle Quevedo (seated, middle) signs a scholarship letter of intent for tennis to the University of New Mexico Wednesday at Grace Community School. Quevedo is joined by her father Rick (at left) and mother Stephanie. (Chris Parry/Staff)

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.