Texas Tennis Phenom Gruber Signs With Mizzou
11/9/2017 4:37:00 PM | Tennis
Home-schooled standout to enroll a semester early, will be eligible this Spring
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Lone-Star standout Taylor Gruber (Spicewood, Texas) has signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll at the University of Missouri and play tennis for Mizzou, as announced today by Head Coach Colt Gaston.
While it's her athletic talents that will be on display at the Mizzou Tennis Complex, it's her strong academic background that will allow her to enroll a semester early: Gruber will enroll at Mizzou over the Winter break and be eligible to play for the Tigers this spring.
"Taylor is an extremely hard worker that is hungry to come in and help take this program to the next level. She not only excels on and off the court but she is a great kid that sets a high standard for herself and I believe she will fit in well with the culture we are building here at Mizzou," Gaston said. "We are excited for her to join us in January and make an immediate impact on this team."
The Austin, Texas, native has a trio of ITF Junior doubles finalist matches to her credit, as well as a singles semifinal appearance in the ITF Junior event in Austin this year. Gruber won the 2017 Texas Adult Masters Championships, and also this year won the USTA Texas Nancy Jeffett Sportsmanship Award.
Gruber comes from an athletic family: Her father, David, played baseball at Texas State, while her mother, Kimberly, was offered a volleyball scholarship at Florida. In addition, her uncle is former All-Star and World-Champion member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Kelly Gruber.
"Mizzou immediately felt like home to me," said Gruber. "I loved how the team really connected on and off court with each other, and I know I can take my tennis to the next level with Colt and [Assistant Coach] Jennifer Meredith helping me. The campus was so beautiful and I just fell in love with Columbia!"
Gruber is scheduled to make her Tiger debut on Jan. 20, when Mizzou opens its Spring season against SEMO and Central Arkansas at the Mizzou Tennis Complex. For all the latest on Mizzou Tennis, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
