Commitment Profile
Countdown: Bocchi Brings a 'World' of Experience to UMass
by Rick Limpert, 4 April 2016
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While most incoming college freshmen, especially those embarking on a journey that includes being a student, athlete face an adjustment period when it comes to academics, athletics and social matters. 4-Star recruit Martina Bocchi feels she's ahead of the curve as she heads to Amherst, Mass.
As the daughter of an Italian diplomat, Bocchi has not only played tennis all over the world, but she has lived on three different continents while developing her game. Born in Tokyo, Japan, and having spent time in Hong Kong and in Italy before spending the last six years in Beverly Hills, Calif. Bocchi was ranked as the No. 17 player in Southern California Girls singles, and advanced to the fourth round of the National Clay Courts tournament in both singles and doubles in 2015.
Bocchi, an Italian national attending Beverly Hills High School, inked a National Letter of Intent with the University of Massachusetts, signing on with head coach Judy Dixon.
"I was looking (at) east coast schools," admitted Bocchi. "I looked at some Ivy League schools, but I saw UMass, and it caught me a little by surprise. Living in L.A. you hear mainly about the west coast schools. The coach said all the players were international; they all had amazing grades and GPAs and I liked that. I wanted a mix between a good tennis school and a good academic school."
UMass currently fields 19 men's and women's teams, playing NCAA D-I sports, with 154 student athletes earning the Commissioner's Honor Roll distinction for the school year ending in the spring of 2015. Bocchi said she was swayed by the fact that the school, with the help of Dixon's experience, seems to be putting an added importance on tennis and aiming for that all important Atlantic 10 title.
"I see the program building. I get that feeling. The school has had success playing football and because of football, the tennis program is looking to get bigger and better facilities."
Bocchi moved to Italy for four years when she was seven, and that is where she started playing tennis, following the lead of her brother, Cosmo. She added that the sport of tennis helped her adjust to life in America.
