FRESNO, Calif. - In recent years, American colleges and universities have experienced a significant influx of international student-athletes. Over the past decade, the number of international athletes at American universities has surged, according to the NCAA, at least 60% of foreign athletes play tennis. In 2022, it was reported that there had been an increase of around 700+ athletes in women's collegiate tennis since 2012.

The Mountain West Conference has seen their fair share of international tennis players. Just last year, 75 percent of the conference's women's tennis athletes were international students.

At Fresno State, the women's tennis team has seen a notable number of international student-athletes over the past five years. For the 2024-25 campaign is no exception, showcasing a team composed of seven international players out of eight members, Sofia Pizzoni (Italy), Matilde Magrini (Italy), Yinglak Jittakoat (Thailand), Eliza Dunabr (Australia), Charlotte Gisclon (France), Andjela Lopicic (Serbia), and Klara Vukicevic (Croatia).

Sofia Pizzoni, one of the newest additions to the 2024-25 roster, hailing from Foligno, Italy. She transferred to Fresno State as a junior from the University of Minnesota, where she was one of five international athletes on an eight-member team.

Regarding her decision to transfer to Fresno State, Pizzoni expressed that Fresno State makes her feel at home and credited her coaches and teammates, whom she described as wonderful people. She was attracted to the great opportunities that America offers in terms of both academics and collegiate tennis, yet she also misses her friends and family back home.

Pizzoni has shared her experiences adjusting to life in America, including the transition from practicing at smaller tennis clubs in Italy to training at larger college facilities. One significant challenge she faced was learning a new language upon arriving in the United States. Pizzoni acknowledged that overcoming this language barrier demonstrates the dedication and mental strength of international students as they balance their studies and compete in college athletics. Despite various struggles at the start of her college career, Pizzoni feels that these experiences allowed her to develop and improve various skills both on and off the tennis court, ultimately affirming that her decision to play collegiate tennis in America was worthwhile.

As she begins her first year at Fresno State, Pizzoni's journey stands as a testament at the universal pursuit of excellence in sports and seizing every opportunity presented to her. She is motivated by the desire to build a reputation as a hardworking athlete, a mindset inspired by her coach in Italy who encouraged her to pursue this opportunity in America. As the 2024-25 season approaches, Pizzoni is excited to make her mark on the Fresno State women's tennis program, with the continued support and guidance of her coaches and teammates.

Gina Ulmos