TRAVERSE CITY — Amanda Bandrowski's decision to play tennis at Hope College was not done in haste.
The Traverse City St. Francis senior has been to the school four times to become familiar with what it had to offer, including an official visit this fall, and couldn't find another environment like it.
"There's been a number of colleges who have expressed interest," Bandrowski said, "but I decided to pick Hope because I liked them the best."
Bandrowski, the Gladiators' No. 1 singles player since her freshman year, had interest from schools such as Hillsdale, Aquinas, Grand Valley State and Ferris State, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to play for a successful Flying Dutch program that was ranked nationally, won the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title and competed in the NCAA Division III tournament last spring.
"(Head coach) Adam (Ford) said it pretty plainly that he wanted me on his team and he wanted me to come to Hope," Bandrowski said. "He didn't go overboard, but he made his intent pretty clear right off the bat."
Bandrowski said she really wanted to continue playing tennis at the college level. At Hope she will be able to do that, with playing time likely coming right away.
"Hopefully, at least being a freshman, I won't be the best, but I'll be toward the top so I have some wiggle room to get better and hit with players who are better than me," said Bandrowski, a state champion at No. 1 singles in her junior year and a top-three finisher in the state all three years she's played in high school. "You don't want to be in that top spot. I remember that freshman year of high school. It's a little nerve racking."
Bandrowski has been a standout for the Gladiators even though she was thrust into the difficult spot of being in the No. 1 singles flight since Day 1. She is a three-time all-state selection, a three-time regional champion and a three-time Lake Michigan Conference champion.
She also has been all-academic for three years. She's the No. 1-ranked United States Tennis Association player in the Northern Michigan 18-and-under division. She believes all of the experience she's gained has prepared her well for the step up to the next level.
"I know it's going to be a big step, but I'm kind of ready for it," she said. "I'm excited to see where it goes."
Bandrowski has primarily been a singles player in high school. Improving as a doubles player is her main goal between now and the time she starts at Hope.
"I know doubles is a big part of college tennis, more so than it is in high school tennis," she said. "I'm really excited to work on my doubles games this coming year and this summer. It's almost a whole different game. There's a whole different mentality. Typically, they will have players play both (singles and doubles)."
Bandrowski can now focus on her upcoming senior season without the worry of still having to make a college decision as she's aiming for a second straight individual title.
"It's so nice," she said. "Most of my friends don't know where they're going to college yet and I've decided. I was really excited to get that off my shoulders."
