Rice University Athletics
Women's Tennis Freshman Class Having Successful Summers
8/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Aug. 4, 2008
HOUSTON - Analy Guzman and Alexandra Rasch, two Guatemalan players that have signed to join the Rice women's tennis team as freshmen in mid-August, have had productive summers developing their games preparing for the upcoming 2008-09 season.
Guzman has held the No. 1 ranking in Guatemala and Central America on various occasions throughout her career. She has reached three ITF Tournament singles finals and won 12 ITF Tournament doubles titles in countries all across the world.
Guzman recently represented Guatemala in three matches at the Fed Cup held in Bolivia. The team swept Barbados before dropping a pair of tight 2-1 decisions to Venezuela and Cuba in the Americas Group II.
"It was a fantastic honor to play for Guatemala at the Fed Cup," Guzman said. "There is no doubt in my mind that training day-after-day (with the team) has made me a better player and has allowed me to take my game to another level."
Rasch comes to Rice after training at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. She also played for the Guatemala Fed Cup squad in 2007 and has spent part of this summer playing in U-21 Open Circuit Tournaments in Germany. Rasch reached the semifinals in an event in Hamburg, while making the quarterfinals in Arusberg and Dusseldorf.
"My goal is to get better every time I play," Rasch said. "I've had a chance to face some tough competition and challenge my game. That's the only way you improve your game. I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to study and play tennis at Rice."
