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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 29, 2002
Tampa Catholic tennis star picks South Carolina
Tampa Catholic tennis player Miranda Gutierrez orally committed to play for South Carolina, ranked No. 16 among the nation's Division I college teams.
Gutierrez competed in the Class 2A state tournament for the last three years and led the Crusaders to their first district title in 2001, and another in 2002. The 6-foot baseline player was a 2A semifinalist in 2001.
Ohio State, Auburn, University of Virginia and Maryland were among some of her college choices. She said she wanted to make all of her visits on her own, and eventually settled on USC based on its reputable tennis program and business school.
"It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life," Gutierrez said. "The tennis program at South Carolina was just so unbelievable. I felt that if I ever want to get better, it was the place to be."
Durant volleyball player Nicole LeBlanc orally committed to play for Baylor University on Monday.
LeBlanc, a six-foot middle blocker and among the county's top kills leaders, helped lead the Cougars to a Class 5A state championship as a junior. She was also named to the 2001 Times All-Hillsborough County first team.
Baylor, which is in the Big 12 Conference, has appeared in the NCAA Tournament two out of the last three years.