Melanie Woodbury ’24 Signs to Play Tennis at Tufts University

During a ceremony in Goodlett Gym, Woodbury signed a letter of intent to play at Tufts University in the Boston, Massachusetts area.

“Playing tennis in college is something I've always dreamed of doing but coming from a family where academics come first, I also wanted to be able to continue challenging myself academically beyond high school,” Woodbury said. “I was stuck choosing between several schools. However, it ultimately came down to the unique academic opportunities available at Tufts and how I was able to immediately connect with the team.”

Hutchison head tennis coach Phil Chamberlain was filled with pride when asked about Woodbury. "Melanie is a great on-court competitor," Chamberlain said. "Although she can be a little shy off the court, she is a real tiger when it comes to competing in important and tough matches."

Woodbury was a highly sought-after recruit, and her track record shows why. She is currently ranked #13 among all seniors nationally in the tennis RPI rankings, and first in the state of Tennessee. She’s 19-4 in all competitions this year and is considered a top 100 recruit worldwide. Woodbury made it all the way to the state championship in singles last year before falling in the finals. And, of course, many at Hutchison remember her victory in the 2021 state doubles tournament with her sister Stephanie Woodbury ’22.

Now Melanie will have the chance to play with her sister once again, as Stephanie also is a member of the tennis team at Tufts. Melanie was thrilled at the prospect of being back on the court with her sister, saying, “My sister being there was definitely a pro! We've always been super close, and growing up we always practiced and played a lot of doubles together, so I'm glad I'll be able to use her for advice and to make home seem a little less than over a thousand miles away.”

Woodbury says that being part of the Hutchison family has benefitted her both inside and outside the classroom. “I believe Hutchison has helped me develop leadership skills and encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone,” she said. “I feel prepared to continue my journey in college due to the confidence and consistent support Hutchison has given me.”

“We know how to work hard and still have fun which I believe is the most important thing of all.”

Woodbury still has her senior season as a member of the Sting to look forward to, and she’ll be looking to add another championship to her trophy case. In the meantime, she’ll be savoring every moment of high school she has left.

“My favorite part about Hutchison is the strong sense of community among all of the students, and my favorite part about Hutchison tennis would be the closeness of the team. Throughout my four years on the team, I feel like I've made lifelong friendships with girls in different grades which I think is really special.”