Courtesy of UNA Athletics

For many athletes, certain moments in their careers stand out, etching themselves into memory like a perfectly placed shot down the line. For UNA tennis player Anoek Pruijmboom, senior days have always been the most meaningful. “I feel like every senior day has been memorable for me. Being able to play with my graduating teammates one more time is something special that I will never forget,” she shares. But her journey to UNA and the sport she loves started long before those emotional senior days.
Growing up in Utrecht, Netherlands, Pruijmboom attended Leidsche Rijn College, where athletics functioned quite differently than in the United States. “High school is completely different in the Netherlands compared to the United States. You don’t compete for your school. Instead, you compete individually in individual tournaments.” After high school, she took her talents to Saint Francis University, a small private university in Loretto, Pennsylvania, for the first two years of her collegiate career. Eventually, UNA caught her attention. “I decided to go to UNA based on the tennis program. I felt that I could further develop my game, as well as keep competing at the highest level in college (NCAA D1).”
Adjusting to collegiate tennis in the U.S. came with its own challenges. While the level of competition was similar to what she was used to, the team-oriented environment was completely new. “I would say the level of competition here compared to home is similar; however, the way you compete is different. Here, you compete in a team and cheer at all times, whereas at home you play individually and barely ever scream if you win a point.” The frequency of matches was another major shift. “At UNA, you play every week, sometimes even multiple times a week, while at home you sometimes can’t compete for a couple of weeks because there aren’t any tournaments in the area.”
Among all her experiences at UNA, one match stands out—an unforgettable showdown against Auburn. “So far, my most memorable match playing here at UNA was against Auburn. It was amazing to compete against a ranked team (top 20 in the nation). We were able to get a lot of experience playing against amazing opponents and even had opportunities to win some of the matches. Even though we ended the day in defeat, we went home with a positive attitude. We will keep working hard so that in the future, we will take those opportunities to win these matches!”
Like many athletes, Pruijmboom has her own rituals that help keep her focused during competition. While she doesn’t have any pre-match superstitions, she follows a strict routine while on the court. “For instance, I always bounce the ball seven times for a first serve and five to six times for a second serve. Furthermore, I have to put my bottles of water/electrolytes in the right spot on my bench.” These small habits create a sense of order in the midst of the unpredictable nature of a match.
Beyond tennis, her aspirations stretch into the realm of forensic psychology. “I want to become a forensic psychologist.” But before she fully steps into that career, she wants to push herself in tennis, competing at the highest level nationally and internationally for at least a year. “I want to compete at the highest level nationally/internationally for at least a year to see how far I can come (especially doubles).” To get there, she continues refining her game, focusing on sharpening her net skills and strengthening her serve. “I want to further develop my net game and serve.”
For those who want to support UNA women’s tennis, Pruijmboom has a simple request: “Please make sure to check the Women’s Tennis schedule for our home games, and join us to bring the energy! Our first home match is on Feb. 4 against UAB. Roar Lions!”