June 17, 2011
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M standout tennis player Nazari Urbina will compete for Mexico at the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen, China, in August.
Urbina, a two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection in singles who completed her sophomore year at Texas A&M in May, is from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico and is one of three women's tennis players who will be representing Mexico at the World University Games. She also competed for Mexico at the Fed Cup held in Argentina in February.
"It is a huge honor to compete for your country as an athlete," Urbina said. "Also I'm very happy and excited to compete in China. I've never been there, which makes it even more exciting. It is going to be a good opportunity for me to keep improving my game, and I get to play with other players from different countries.
"I just want to get there, have fun, do my best and enjoy every match. I think it is going to be a good opportunity and experience for me as a tennis player, and I'm excited to experience their culture, the place, the food, basically just experience it all."
Urbina also takes great pride in representing Texas A&M.
"People always ask me about Texas A&M, the traditions and if I like it. I tell them I love it. I love being an Aggie, and it will be double rewarding to be representing both Mexico and Texas A&M while in China."
Athletes competing in the World University Games must be at least 17 and less than 28 years of age on January 1, 2011. In addition, they must not be out of a university or its equivalent for more than a year.
Opening ceremonies will be held August 11, and the closing ceremonies will take place August 23.
Urbina, who in 2010 became the first freshman in Texas A&M history to compete in the NCAA Singles Championship, played No. 1 singles for the Aggies in 2011 and received a second consecutive at-large berth to the NCAA Singles Championship. She was ranked as high as No. 11 midway through the spring and finished the year ranked No. 29 after going 28-10 (.737) overall, including 16-8 against ranked opponents.
Urbina helped lead the Aggies to a 15-9 final record and a 12th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament, where the Aggies fell to SMU, 4-3, in the first round. She went 16-6 in dual matches all at the No. 1 line.
With aspirations of playing for Mexico in the Olympics some day, Urbina will stay busy honing her skills while competing in other tennis tournaments throughout the summer.
"I might play a in a tournament in Cuba, and just like last year I want to play in the Mercury Insurance Open Opportunity Tournament in San Diego in July. And if I win that tournament, I will play in the Mercury Insurance Open before going to China. That is the plan so far."
Urbina is the defending champion at the Mercury Insurance Open Opportunity Tournament in San Diego and was entered into the qualifying draw of the 2010 Mercury Insurance Open.