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Doug Matthews didn’t have many expectations when he checked his email during an average day this summer. The Xavier women’s coach figured it would be the usual inquiries from potential recruits.

But something about Imani Graham’s email piqued his interest. He had never seen her play, but had a good feeling once he began reading about the five-star senior from Saint Johns, Florida.

Senior Imani Graham Has Signed With Xavier
© Bill Kallenberg/CapturedInAction

"Ninety-nine out of 100 times when you get those emails you look at the player and it's generally not a fit for your program,” Matthews said. “But I said let me just type this name in Tennis Recruiting and see where she is, and when her name popped up I thought this may be a dream come true. Sure enough, it was.”

Graham made an unofficial visit less than two weeks after first corresponding with Matthews, and committed on the spot. She signed with Xavier last month at the start of the signing period.

"Neither me or my family went there thinking I would make my decision right then and there. It kind of caught me off guard,” Graham said. “But I liked everything about the school. It checked off all the boxes on my checklist and more."