Sierra Berry Looks to Help USF Women’s Tennis Get on a Run In The AAC Championships When They Face Temple
2022 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
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TOURNAMENT BRACKET: Click
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MATCHUP: No. 9 South Florida (5-15) vs. No. 8 Temple (11-5)
WHEN: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
TIME: 1 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Tulsa, Okla.
SITE: University of Tulsa Michael D. Case Tennis Center
By Joey Johnston
TAMPA (April 18, 2022) – During the COVID pandemic, USF women's tennis coach
Cristina Moros scouted dozens of players online through tournament matches that were streamed. After a while, things can look the same.
But Moros was jolted to attention while watching a fast-rising Texas high-school player named
Sierra Berry.
Berry was tall, left-handed, and a smooth mover. Her serve was powerful, but also featured deceptive spins and angles. Before meeting Berry personally, Moros already identified her as USF's recruiting priority.
It has been everything Moros expected — and more. Playing at the No. 1 or No. 2 position all season, Berry was 9-9 in singles as a freshman for USF's building program. When the American Athletic Conference Tournament begins Wednesday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Berry will be one of the event's top young players to watch.
"This season has been a roller coaster and a grind,'' Berry said. "But also a tremendous learning experience. It's something to build upon for myself and my teammates. We've taken some lumps, but we're committed to improving and believing in ourselves.''
Berry, from the Dallas suburb of Frisco, showed rapid improvement during her youth tennis career, reaching the No. 1 ranking in Texas girls 16s and 18s. Just before her senior year of high school, Berry was 65th nationally in singles and 22nd in doubles.
Several schools had late interest in Berry, who wasn't on anyone's radar a few seasons earlier. Berry also had very specific parameters: She wanted to leave her home state of Texas and remain in the South, preferably somewhere in tennis-centric Florida. She also wanted a coach with sterling credentials who could help her progress.
USF's location — plus Moros' reputation as a former University of Texas All-American player — made it a great fit.
"We were a little late to the party (in recruiting) because Sierra was just starting to get good results when we jumped in,'' Moros said. "There were two other players we were recruiting for that scholarship. Sierra was interested in us initially but she just couldn't give a definitive answer until she knew more. I respected that.
"I believe in Sierra so much that I let go of those other two recruits. It was a gamble. If we didn't get Sierra, we'd be starting completely over. But I just knew she would be a game-changer for us. She's so driven intrinsically. We just had a feel for how she would be and how she would probably develop.''
Berry arrived at USF as a 17-year-old (she turned 18 in January), which might be concerning to other young people. For Berry, it wasn't a concern. She approached her freshman season with maturity and the proper expectations.
With that kind of start, Moros already is excited for the future.
"College tennis season can really eat you up,'' Moros said. "Sierra has been chewed up and chewed out, like any player trying to adjust to the next level. It's easy to fall into a pattern where you get overwhelmed. Sierra has figured out ways to fight through it. She's just special that way.''
Despite USF's lack of team success (5-15), Berry said she sees a bright future for the program.
"I think I can really help this program, but I need my teammates and coaches to rally around,'' Berry said. "This sport is so competitive at the college level. I love the energy. It's so different than junior tennis, where you can feel alone, because you're part of a team.
"I love USF and I'm glad I chose to be here. I definitely see a future for myself in the sport and I hope to get a shot at the professional ranks. I'm going to give everything I have to reach my highest goals. I feel like I have a lot more to give and I'm excited that it's going to be at USF.''
About Women's Tennis
Be sure to follow USF women's tennis on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. Head coach
Cristina Moros will be in her seventh year at the helm, as she led the program to an American Athletic Conference Championship in 2017.
– #GoBulls –
