Recruiting Profile
Vanderbilt Checks Every Box for Blue Chip Webster
by Rhiannon Potkey, 31 January 2024
| Share: |  |
 |
Sophia Webster (WTN: 15.3) knew exactly what she was looking for by the time she made an official visit to Vanderbilt University.
The blue chip senior was close to committing to a program last summer, but decided to start the recruiting process over again.
Blue Chip Sophia Webster Has Committed to Vanderbilt
© Contributed Photo
Webster first began talking with the Vanderbilt coaching staff at the USTA National Hard Courts in San Diego. After Webster took a break from playing to heal a wrist injury, they reconnected again at the Orange Bowl.
Webster had visited 10 other schools before her trip to Nashville. The Commodores made Webster a scholarship offer during her visit and she said yes before leaving the campus.
“Vanderbilt checked my boxes,” she said. “I loved the coaching staff, I connected well with the team and they are doing a lot for their student-athletes with renovations and everything. Nashville is such a cool city too. I can picture myself there. It was kind of an easy decision.”
Webster’s mother, Stella Sampras Webster, is the head coach at UCLA. Webster considered playing for the Bruins because it was her “dream school” when she was growing up.
“But I just wanted to do my own thing and have my own path without my mom being there every step of the way,” Webster said. “I think it was the smarter decision, even if it was a little hard to choose a different school and be on my own for a little bit.”
Webster’s twin sister, Savannah, a five-star senior, signed with the University of Miami last November. Although often asked if they were a package deal, the two didn’t seriously consider the possibility.
“I never had any interest in going with her and she never had any interest in going with me,” Webster said. “It wasn’t personal or anything. It was just more of we both had our different paths and different interests we wanted to pursue.”
Aside from taking dance classes as kids, tennis was the only activity the twins actively pursued growing up. But they weren’t pushed into high-level competition until it was their choice.
“I think the way my mom did it was really great. We just did summer camps and lessons. It was just a way for us to make friends and we had to like the sport before we actually started competing and training at age 12,” Webster said. “Savannah and I still love to play and train and get better. I think that is the biggest reason why we stayed with it. We just loved playing.”
Webster is No. 3 in Florida on the Babolat Recruiting List
© Contributed Photo
The twins moved to Florida during the Covid pandemic and began training at the Gomez Tennis Academy in Naples. Their games and fitness levels greatly improved following the change. Their father, Steve, stays in Florida with them while their mom is coaching UCLA in California.
“We are super lucky he can work from pretty much anywhere,” Webster said. “He’s been able to travel with us and kind of be the Dad-ager. He has been super invested. It’s been really nice.”
During her downtime, Webster enjoys cooking and finding good coffee shops. She grew up eating a lot of Greek food and loves making Greek salads. The twins have a nightly routine of binging TV shows together. They just finished 24.
“We like some of the older shows that came out a few years ago, especially crime shows or dramas,” Webster said. “We have watched The Mentalist, Monk and we just watched Fool Me Once, which was really good.”
Webster has considered majoring in human organizational development or communications with a minor in business at Vanderbilt. Given how much can change over time, Webster prefers to focus on the present before making any major decisions about her future.
“I am not going to college to go pro. I think that is something I would just reassess by the end of it to see if it’s something I still want to do,” she said. “But the biggest goal right now is just to be the best college player I can and also get a great education from Vanderbilt.”
Leave a Comment
More Recruiting Profiles
26-Jan-2024
Amherst College Visit Seals Commitment of Four-Star Hu
Amherst College was high on Albert Hu’s college list from the very start. The four-star senior from New York wanted a good balance between tennis and academics. Once he visited the campus, he knew joining the Mammoths was the right choice.
24-Jan-2024
Texas Tech Delivers Timely Message to Five-Star Daskalova
Elena Daskalova wanted to attend college in Texas. The five-star senior from Kansas got a perfectly-timed message from the coaches at Texas Tech that helped make it happen. Daskalova has signed to play for the Red Raiders.
3-Jan-2024
Five-Star Henceroth Ready to Spread His Wings with Gamecocks
Cole Henceroth’s introduction to the South Carolina coaches led to a lasting connection. The five-star senior from Virginia knew his personality would fit better at a bigger school and loved everything about the Gamecocks. He recently committed to join the program.
About Rhiannon Potkey
 |
Rhiannon Potkey is a veteran sportswriter with more than two
decades of experience in journalism. Potkey has covered many
sports at many levels and has a passion for finding great stories.
Potkey has covered the U.S. Open, junior sectional and national
events, college conference championships and Davis Cup matches.
Potkey is currently Content Strategist for Tennis Recruiting. You
can reach Rhiannon by email at
[email protected].