News & Features

Lauren McHale's tennis journey began ten years ago in Hong Kong; in the next several weeks, the 17-year-old from New Jersey will select another destination that will shape her future: a college campus.

"It's one of the biggest decisions of my life," says Blue Chip senior. "I want to make the right decision, so I'm still thinking about it."

Lauren and her sister Christina were introduced to the game by their mother Margarita, who took advantage of the court near their Hong Kong apartment complex to pass along her own interest in the sport.

"I was seven, Christina was five, and my mom just fed us balls," McHale remembers. "We fell in love with the game."

When John McHale was transferred back to the United States, his two daughters brought their passion for tennis with them, and both have excelled. Fifteen-year-old Christina, the fourth-ranked blue chip in the Class of 2010, was runner-up at the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl 14s last year. Lauren has reached the semifinals at both the Easter Bowl and the recent ITF Pan American Closed in Tulsa, and has seen her Tennis Recruiting Network ranking improve from No. 60 in 2004 to her current lofty spot at No. 4.