Texas spirit proves the hook for Begley

Even growing up in Houston, Elizabeth Begley admits she wasn't always a big Texas Longhorns fan.

But it didn't take long for that to change when the Longhorns began recruiting the Hilton Head Prep student to play tennis at the University of Texas.

"The school spirit is definitely what sold me," Begley said. "Everyone is so dedicated to the school and being a part of it. When I wear my Texas clothes in airports or something, people stop me and say 'Hook 'em 'Horns' and stuff like that. It's so cool to be a part of a group of people with so much enthusiasm for their school."

Begley, who is in her second year training at Smith Stearns Tennis Academy after four years at Van der Meer Tennis Academy, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to join the Longhorns next fall. The No. 26 recruit in the nation among high school seniors, according to TennisRecruiting.net, Begley said she chose Texas over Notre Dame and North Carolina.

"Since I started in tennis (at age 7), I wanted to play all the way through college," Begley said. "I'm so happy that I'm going to such a good school with such a good program."

Name: Elizabeth Begley

High school: Hilton Head Prep (Smith Stearns Tennis Academy)

Sport: Tennis

Coach: Ricardo Gonzalez

College: University of Texas

Probable major: Undecided

About Texas: Led by fifth-year coach Patty Fendick-McCain, who won 26 WTA doubles titles (including the 1991 Australian Open with Mary Jo Fernandez) and three WTA singles titles in her professional career, the Longhorns are a perennial contender for the Big 12 Conference title. They have reached at least the round of 32 at the NCAA Championships the past four years, including a run to the round of 16 in 2008.

Why Texas: "The program is fantastic and the coaches are great," Begley said.

Other schools that offered scholarships: Notre Dame, North Carolina

Other high school sports played: None

Accolades: Considered a "blue chip" and ranked the No. 26 senior recruit in the nation by TennisRecruiting.net; has won two international singles titles in the past two years (Copa Mangu in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in September and ITF Abu Dhabi Junior Championship in Jan. 2008); won Dallas Tennis Association Spring Super Championships in May.

Qualified academically?: Yes.