Serving up a storm: NCAA next step for top Hawkesdale prospect Eloise Swarbrick

One pair of everyday sneakers, one for the gym, one for the track and four for the court.

Then there's the clothes. All Nike, one of the world's most famous and sought-after athletic wear brands, and enough of it to stock a wardrobe from scratch.

If she feels a twinge in her shoulder while returning a serve, it's as simple as a brief chat with a physiotherapist on the sidelines.

Should she consume more carbohydrates the night prior to a match, or is protein best practice? There's a nutritionist to advise on that.

Arguably the best part, beyond all that, is the elite coaching. Nothing goes unnoticed, nothing is swept under the rug and excellence is always the overarching goal.

Welcome to life as a Middle Tennessee State University athlete.

The Hawkesdale-based tennis ace will jet to the United States on Friday to join the National Collegiate Athletic Association division one program.

"It's sinking in a little bit now, saying goodbye to a lot of people over Facetime as I haven't been able to do it in person (due to lockdown)," Swarbrick says.

"I'm definitely going to miss all the family and tennis friends. It's going to be hard to move but it's definitely the right pathway for me and I think when I get over there, the best thing about it is there's Facetime and all the technology and everything we have.

"I'll be able to keep in contact that way. I think it will be hard to say goodbye to the family but I've got such a good support network of family and friends and all the tennis family. I think it'll be an easy enough transition but I guess a hard one too."

Making the 15,698-kilometre journey easier is the knowledge two of her closest mates - friendships which bloomed out of a passion for the game she's pursuing - are also college athletes at nearby schools.

Olivia Symons (University of Tennessee) and Amy Stevens (Vanderbilt), who both hail from Geelong, will be on the ground in America for close support.

"We've grown up playing each other since we were about 10," Swarbricks says.

"They played for Barwon and I played for South West. We're all in Tennessee now. Liv and I are lucky enough that we start our college times together. We're actually flying out together.

"I think that aspect is going to make it a bit easier, having two of my best mates down the road. We can catch up and I think that'll make the transition easier, knowing I have people like family just down the road."

Swarbrick dreams of turning professional and playing grand slams all over the world.

She feels exposure to college tennis can be as beneficial for the psychological side of her game as it will be for her skills.

"Being in the professional environment and being with other athletes, it'll be good to see how they train and everything," Swarbrick says.

"The mentality that goes into your training and your matchplay, I think that's one area I can improve in over there. I guess the focus on the tennis court.

"It'll be a big improvement. Sometimes, your mind wanders on court and I've got to focused back on the tennis ball.

"College tennis is quite tough because yes, you've got your team which is fantastic for the support but then again, there's another team on the other side.

"You've got to build on your mental toughness. Sometimes, what I do, is just pretend you're playing against the tennis ball. There's nobody down the other end and you've got to just blank them out.

"I'm just trying to beat the tennis ball in some ways, if that makes sense. I think that will improve."

The 19-year-old is banking on a physical education degree to follow her family pathway - her mother and sister are teachers - while her father is a former educator.

But if her mind changes, Swarbrick is interested in pursuing physiotherapy or exercise physiology.

The flexibility of the United States' tertiary education system means she won't need to make the final call until the end of her first year on campus.

What's clear for Swarbrick is that attending college is the perfect stepping stone for her future ambitions.

"The women on the tour these days are so physically big and strong," the former Emmanuel College student says.

"I'm also still growing and learning and I think it was my best option. It'll be great to grow my knowledge of the game and yeah hopefully go professional after college.

"It just shows with the Olympics - 1000 of the Olympians at Tokyo were college students or past college students. It just shows it's a fantastic pathway for all athletes wanting to progress to that next level."

Swarbrick said she'd been made to feel welcome already and was looking forward to linking up with coach Tayo Bailey-Duvall and teammates.

"I'll actually be in the same dormitory as three American volleyballers, which will really cool," she said.

"Coach Tayo has been amazing. She's already been supportive and welcoming."

Swarbrick thanked her family, friends and the south-west tennis community for their support of her career.

She said Warrnambool Lawn Tennis, Warrnambool Indoor Tennis and Supergrasse all played a part.

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