Buffalo Grove's Boyd picks Drake
After an immensely successful four-year stint at Buffalo Grove, senior tennis standout Nell Boyd marks her next chapter at Drake University in Iowa.
Boyd verbally committed to the university last week during the IHSA state tennis tournament.
“They have a pretty nice tennis facility,” Boyd said when asked about her decision. “I really wanted to go to a small D-I school. I'm really excited about this and everything else.”
The four-time state qualifier began her illustrious tennis career at 7 years old. She played in her first tournament as a 10-year old and has not looked back.
“When I was little I played every sport,” Boyd said. “I hated going to practice though, but I always enjoyed tennis practice. I've met a lot of people in tennis. You can play all your life.”
Since her adolescent days of the sport, Boyd has amassed a stellar 111-29 record. Boyd's freshman and junior year, she placed in the top-32 in the state tournament. As a senior and sophomore (sophomore year as a doubles team), Boyd placed in the top 17-24.
After becoming a top player in tennis, Boyd picked up badminton as a second sport with partner Michelle Byjos. As a tandem, they took fourth-place at state to help Buffalo Grove finish second for its first state trophy.
BG coach Kevin Schrammel reminisced of her progress and growth.
“I think it was middle school camps that I heard about her,” Schrammel said, pondering the question of when he thought of Boyd as a special player. “You always hear about them a year or two before they get up to high school.
“When she was in eighth grade I watched a couple of her matches and she showed she was excited. It seems like yesterday she was watching from the other side of the fence as an eighth grader.”
Schrammel and the rest of the Bison will miss her on and off the court.
“In six years of coaching, she's best player I've seen come through here,” Schrammel said. “She is the ultimate unselfish player. Usually the top players from high school tennis take off a season from high school tennis, but (Nell) wanted to play with anybody and everybody.
“She was very team oriented, a genuinely nice person and a good leader. A lot of girls will miss her just for her personality.”
Schrammel plans to visit Illinois State when Missouri Valley Conference opponent Drake faces off to see former BG players Ashton and Heather Nisbet and Boyd.
Boyd also plans to participate in Schrammel's summer camps as well as attend future BG matches.
“I'm going to miss high school, and my teammates,” Boyd said. “But I'm not going to miss all the good players coming in.
“Hopefully I will play all four years at Drake or somehow be involved with the program. I couldn't imagine not being involved with sports.”