SPC's Bellini chooses, signs with Lipscomb

St. Petersburg Catholic tennis star Alyssa Bellini took visits to Lipscomb University, Valparaiso, Georgia Southern and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in the weeks leading up to the early signing period.

 On Wednesday, Bellini made her final decision between the four schools, signing a letter of intent to Lipscomb, a Division I school in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

“I’m really excited. I really loved everything about the school when I took my visit there,” Bellini said. “The girls on the team are very nice. It’s very strong academically. It was a good fit all around.”

The chemistry between the Lipscomb players was another major factor that swayed Bellini.

“It was important to me that they had a close team,” she said. “Because a couple of schools I went to didn’t. They didn’t hang out outside of tennis.”

Bellini has played a key role in the Barons’ three year state tournament run. Playing No. 1 singles and doubles for SPC, she guided the Barons to consecutive fourth-place state finishes in 2007 and 2008. Last season, with Bellini at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles, the Barons took third.

Bellini said she hopes to crack the top three of the Lipscomb lineup during her freshman year.

Lipscomb is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

-- BRYAN BURNS

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Players in post

• Alyssa Bellini

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• St. Petersburg Catholic High School