Up and coming Basildon tennis player Carla Bell jetted off to America today to take up a prestigious scholarship.
The Essex County player will be coached in tennis alongside her studies at San Diego State University in California.
The scholarship underlines the rapid progress Bell has made during the past 12 months as a member of the GB Tennis Girls Hub.
"This time last year there's no way Carla was good enough to play for a university like San Diego State," said coach and Basildon tennis ace Helen Crook.
"Her improvement is a testament to her hard work and the positive, productive environment we have created for players on the hub."
Bell jetted off across the Atlantic after competing in the British U18 National Championships where she lost 6-2 6-3 in the first round to Cheshire's Samantha Murray .
Her arrival in America sees Bell one tournament short of earning a senior world ranking.
And it follows an impressive showing at the LTA County Championship in Eastbourne last month where she teamed up with Crook to win 10 matches as Essex's top pair.
Published Thursday August 26, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article