Yasmin Scott poses for a photo on media day. PHOTO COURTESY OF MILLERSVILLE ATHLETICS
Kaya Wagner
Staff Writer
“Moving here has definitely been a culture shock. It is crazy and so exciting to me how all these American college social activities, clubs, organizations, dormitories, dining halls, and Involvement Fairs truly exist outside of the movies I have watched my whole life that depict the stereotypical college experience,” said Yasmin Scott
Scott is a Millersville tennis player from Terranora, Australia. Terranora is located north of Sydney and south of the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Scott decided to leave Australia to join the Millersville Women’s Tennis team, study Early Education, and pursue a minor in Athletic Coaching here at Millersville University.
Scott first got into the sport through her family, specifically her mother and great-grandfather. It was her best friend in Australia, though, that pushed her to start participating in the sport.
Scott explained her journey to becoming a player by saying, “It was my best friend back home Mia who first asked me to come and join a group tennis session with her at the local club. That was really the first time I got into tennis and got on the court making me instantly fall in love, never looking back.”
For Scott, tennis is an escape, a physical and mental outlet. It is her escape when life gets difficult, but the sport itself can cause challenges. This leads her to use two different forms of motivation to help her whenever the sport or life, in general, gets tough.
“My parents and family are huge motivators for me. Whatever I am doing, I am going to give it my all as I just want to make them proud. I am motivated by my inner desire to learn and see myself improve. I want to be put in situations where I can grow and develop, allowing me to become the best version of myself,” said Scott.
Scott also has several role models that guide and inspire her every day.
“My biggest role model in my life would have to be my dad. Everything he does inspires me. His work ethic, dedication, perseverance, and resilience through both his career and life challenges is beyond what words can describe,” said Scott.
Moving to Pennsylvania has been an adjustment for Scott, though. She has had several different things to adjust to since moving to Millersville.
Scott said, “Of course being away from friends and family, who are so far away has been a really hard adjustment. Navigating the American systems, technology and the way Americans act has proven to be difficult.”
Scott has several goals surrounding her tennis career, both with Millersville’s team and in the future. She explained, “Throughout my tennis career at Millersville I want to become the best player I can be both physically and mentally. I am the person that never wants to leave the tennis courts, always wants to be out hitting and working hard. My goal is to seize every opportunity and every piece of feedback I can get to improve and grow. Specifically after my time at Millersville, I would love to play on the professional circuit one day in the future. We just have to see how the next four years pan out, anything and everything can happen!”
Although the move from Terranora, Australia to Millersville, Pennsylvania has been full of ups and downs, Yasmin Scott is full of hope and enjoying her time at Millersville University. She even remarked, “I have found my tennis family and I am already so proud to be a part of this team!”