CHICAGO—Being far from home, uncertainty of a pandemic and being the lone freshman on a roster is a daunting task for anyone. Illinois Institute of Technology women's tennis freshman Natalie Hamill is embracing that challenge. 

"I had met the team prior to coming here when coach Erik Scanlan arranged for me to tour the school last fall," said Hamill. "I actually got the chance to play with top members of the team when I had visited, which was super reassuring. I loved all the girls."

Hamill, a biomedical engineering major from Fort Collins, Colorado, picked up a tennis racket for the first time at four years old. Early exposure to the sport helped pay dividends for Hamill in earning the No. 1 singles position for the Fort Collins High School girl's tennis team all four years. Hamill owes her success to someone who's been by her side since day one. 

"My dad has been my consistent coach my entire life," said Hamill. "He's known my game for the longest time, and was able to be a great coach for me especially during COVID-19 when I couldn't play against others."

Facing-off against the opposition's strongest link, and being the anchor of your team are among the responsibilities of a No. 1 singles player. Playing No. 1 singles often comes with sacrifice of individual wins for your team's success, which also shaped Hamill into a mature athlete before playing her first collegiate match. 

"I was the only one on my team that didn't make it to state my junior year, but our team took fourth." said Hamill. 

Willingness to make sacrifices as a junior ensured Hamill's readiness for the next level. This caught the eye of Scarlet Hawks head coach Erik Scanlan.

"I got an e-mail from coach Scanlan, and that's how I found out about Illinois Tech," said Hamill. "All my other options were purely academic, and once I got that e-mail I was sold on coming here!"

Hamill and the Scarlet Hawks plan to open their 2020-21 campaign on Saturday, April 3 at Dominican (Ill.).