Taylor Garcia Rises to Top 15 in Pro Pickleball: Taylor Garcia ’22 vividly remembers the pivotal moment during her campus tour of Washington and Lee University when she envisioned herself as a student there. Little did she anticipate that her journey would lead to a career in professional pickleball.
Garcia, a standout athlete from Mount Carmel Academy in Mandeville, Louisiana, had an impressive high school career. She was a four-time singles regional champion, a two-time state champion, and a two-time Louisiana High School Girls Tennis Player of the Year. Her academic achievements were equally impressive, graduating summa cum laude and seeking a balance of rigorous academics and athletics in college.
Distinguished College Career
Garcia’s time at W&L solidified her status as one of the university’s most accomplished tennis players. She earned two All-American titles, NCAA individual qualifications in 2021 and 2022, and achieved national rankings of No. 15 in singles and No. 19 in doubles. Her leadership extended beyond the court as she served as Panhellenic Council president and volunteered with Campus Kitchen while majoring in international politics.
“I absolutely loved my teammates and my coach. I loved feeling like I was part of something bigger than just myself.” – (Garcia)
Garcia’s Transition to Pickleball
Garcia’s athletic skills continued post-graduation at George Mason University, where she played tennis while completing a master’s in international security. A chance encounter with pickleball through a local tournament sparked her interest.
“I realized that if I trained for this the way I trained in tennis, I could be good. My last tennis season ended April 19, and I haven’t touched a tennis racket since. I’ve only played pickleball — every single day. I just started training as hard as I could.” – (Garcia)
Despite her tennis background, she immersed herself in pickleball, dedicating herself entirely after the end of her tennis season. By the end of 2023, Garcia had climbed to No. 15 in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour singles rankings and attracted sponsorships.
“I’ve always just been a fiery competitor and in anything that I did, I always tried to do my best. When I began playing pickleball, I didn’t even know how to keep score. But I knew I wanted to win.” – (Garcia)
Balancing Ambitions
Garcia is not only focused on her pickleball career but also on her long-term professional goals. In November 2023, she began working as a senior federal affairs analyst at RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, while continuing her pickleball pursuits. She values the challenges from her W&L education that prepared her for her athletic and professional careers.
“I look back and am so thankful for how W&L challenged me. Now, I feel like I’m so well prepared to take on new classes, challenges and experiences. My master’s degree enhanced my education, but it was formed by my undergraduate years at W&L.” – (Garcia)
News in Brief: Taylor Garcia Rises to Top 15 in Pro Pickleball
Taylor Garcia ’22, a former standout tennis player at Washington and Lee University, has transitioned to professional pickleball with remarkable success. She rose to No. 15 in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour singles rankings within a year.
Garcia, who also holds a position as a senior federal affairs analyst at RTX, balances her pickleball career with her professional aspirations. Her experience at W&L, where she excelled academically and athletically, has significantly shaped her approach to new challenges.
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