Saige Severance: Future collegiate athlete reflects on her tennis journey

April 24, 2024

What started as a way for Saige Severance to earn ice cream has turned into a college scholarship.

From when she was six years old playing for frozen treats with her parents at the Moultrie Playground Tennis Courts to now being ranked among the top 250 players in her class nationally, tennis is the thread that’s weaved its way throughout Saige’s life.

The high school senior spent nearly her entire tennis career at LTP Academy, an elite training program on Daniel Island and in Mount Pleasant. And she was one of the first students of what is now LTP Scholars, an academic program offering flexible schedules.

“They provide us with so much to set us up for success,” Saige said. “LTP develops both the player and the person, and that’s rare. They don’t tolerate bad sportsmanship, and they hold everyone to a high standard of being a good sport and respectful.”

Like most journeys, Saige’s has had highs and lows. She couldn’t get enough of tennis when she was taller and stronger than the other 12 years old but then her passion dimmed a few years later. She even stopped playing for a while, but she couldn’t stay away.

“I felt like I was missing out,” she said. “All of my friends played tennis and I didn’t see them anymore. It wasn’t just taking away tennis; it was no more friends or coaches and my physical well-being. Tennis was so much more than a sport to me.”

Saige grew up playing on the same courts as Emma Navarro, the world’s No. 21 female player who trained with LTP Academy and still is part of its Pro Player Program.

“I’ve just thought of her as a fellow student,” Saige said. “But it’s cool because I’ve seen her as a normal student athlete who balanced a normal life and friends with training hard. It goes to show that you don’t have to sacrifice everything to be that good.”

Saige credits her first LTP coach, Jerry Albrikes, with being the one to ignite her love of tennis. Jerry organized fun, competitive games that made her feel excited to be there multiple days per week.

The flexibility of LTP Scholars made it easy for her to continue training at a high level, Saige said. She tried a traditional school but it didn’t work; it was hard to find enough time to practice and stay on top of her studies.

“LTP Scholars is a huge help when it comes to getting the most of academics and tennis,” she said. “I work at my own pace and take the classes I want. They want to make sure we’re well-rounded student athletes.”

She’s grateful especially for the coaches, such as Randy Pate, Charly Rasheed and Mike Sell, who have been instrumental to her success.

“All of my coaches really care about me as a player and a person,” she said. “They’re always looking to do what’s best for me as a person, not just for my tennis. I would not be where I am without them.”

Severance watched with excitement for years as other LTP athletes received offers from schools across the country. That was her goal, too, and she’s accomplished exactly that – a scholarship to play at Boston College.

“The Boston College team was so welcoming and proud of their culture,” she said. “It reminded me a lot of LTP. I knew I would be happy there because it’s so similar to here.”

She looks forward to earning a degree from its business school while continuing her tennis journey.

Categories: Learn to Play