Recruiting Profile
Five-Star Turley Finds Happiness at San Diego State
by Rhiannon Potkey, 15 November 2024
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Vessa Turley (WTN: 19.1) wondered when she would feel it. A lot of former recruits told Turley they got the feeling when they toured a college that was right for them. They told her they just knew.
Turley wondered if that would happen for her as she made visit after visit. It finally did once she arrived at San Diego State.
Five-Star Vessa Turley Has Committed to San Diego State
© Contributed Photo
“On that visit, I was definitely the happiest,” Turley said. “Even my parents could tell. I was just myself. I felt comfortable. I felt like it was the place where I was meant to be. It just really felt like home, and it was a great fit for me.”
The five-star senior from Scottsdale, Arizona has signed to play for the Aztecs, becoming the first five-star recruit to sign with SDSU since 2013. Turley said some “happy tears were shed” when she told her parents about her decision.
Turley received her first call from San Diego State last July and the coaching staff began following her results. She did more research about the school, and liked the SDSU’s academics, athletics, and the proximity to family. It’s only a short flight from Arizona and her grandmother lives in the San Diego area.
“I immediately felt extremely welcomed by both the coaches of the team when I was on my visit. I could just really tell how supportive and connected the team was with one another, and that gave me a great sense of comfort,” Turley said. “I felt like it was a place where I would be challenged while being supported and surrounded by teammates who also have a similar drive.”
Turley grew up in Arizona participating in a variety of activities, including soccer, volleyball and dance. None of them felt like the best fit until she discovered tennis.
“My mom played badminton when she was younger and got into tennis in her 30s. She put me in tennis, and immediately, when I started playing, you couldn't pull me off the court,” Turley said. “I just loved how different tennis was because you can play as long as you want and you are not dictated by others.”
In fact, Turley was so enamored with playing that she would ask her opponents at tournaments if they wanted to “play another one for fun” once the match was over and they were shaking hands at the net.
Turley is ranked No. 3 in Arizona on the Babolat Recruiting List in singles, but has had even more success in doubles. She has won five USTA doubles balls, including a gold ball at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls 16 National Championships in San Diego in 2023.
“I've always loved doubles, ever since I was a little kid. There's videos of me serving and then just rushing to the net,” Turley said with a laugh. “It also helps with singles too for me to really incorporate that. Because you are at the net about 50% of the time in doubles, I’d say that's why my game is drastically more improved.”
Turley suffered a back injury last summer after national hard courts that required her to rest until January.
Turley and Coach Ali Borhani
© Contributed Photo
“It was pretty stressful for me, especially with the recruiting process,” she said. “But I had a lot of great results when I started playing again, which made me extremely happy because I didn’t know how much it would set me back by not playing for a while.”
In her time away from tennis, Turley enjoys reading, especially fantasy books, and watching horror movies. The self-proclaimed “extrovert” recently began learning how to cook to avoid eating as much fast food.
Turley is coached by former Boise State men’s assistant Ali Borhani. She is grateful for all the help she’s received from Borhani and her family as she chases her tennis dreams, which includes a possible pro career.
Turley is interested in studying business and communications at San Diego State. She’s already made a lot of great memories over the years in San Diego, and hopes to have many more in the years to come.
“I'm extremely happy because I’m committed to a school that I know I'm going to be happy at both on and off the court,” she said. “It felt like a really long process, and now that I'm committed, I can play more freely on the court knowing the next step in my life journey will be at a place I love.”
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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].
