Thea moves up to NCAA Division II

Thea Minor makes a baseline return during a practice session with New Mexico Military School last spring season. (nmmi.edu.com)

Former CNMI top junior player Thea Minor is moving up to a much competitive playing field after a notable collegiate debut with the New Mexico Military Institute.

Minor will be suiting up for the Henderson State University—an NCAA Division II school in Arkansas—next year.

“I have received another full scholarship from NCAA Division II’s Henderson State University. I am very thankful that God has given me this opportunity not only to play tennis and run cross country, but also to continue my studies,” said Minor, who made the leap after completing her rookie season with the NMMI.

Minor and the NMMI Broncos play in Division I of the National Junior College Athletics Association. During her short stint with NMMI and the NJCAA, the Commonwealth netter made it to the nationals both in the spring and fall seasons. In the spring season, Minor and doubles partner Lorraine Banimataku of Vanuatu were ranked No. 8 in doubles, while the former finished at No. 43 in doubles. In the fall season that just ended last month, Minor jumped several notches ahead in the singles ranking, as she claimed the No. 26 spot, while in the doubles, the CNMI-Vanuatu pairing finished at No. 10.

Despite playing for NMMI for only two seasons, Minor said she learned a lot from coach Dan O’Connell and her teammates and opponents.

“The two seasons gave me a lot of great experiences. I have learned a lot of things, especially from the challenges I have to face during my matches,” the 20-year-old player said.

“To my coach I am thankful that he came into my life. If I haven’t met him 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have this opportunity to play college tennis and move forward to another school,” Minor said.

O’Connell and Minor met through the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships. The CNMI player made it to the North Pacific Team several times and her strong showings in the yearly POJC have impressed O’Connell, the former Pacific Oceania Junior ITF development officer. When he resigned from his ITF post and got an offer to coach NMMI, O’Connell recruited Minor along with the other players in the POJC.

“To my teammates, you guys are the best teammates. We are more than teammates. We are like sisters who are there for each other,” Minor said.

The daughter of proud parents Joy and Boyet Minor is likely to move to her new school in April next year to sign up with Henderson, which competes in the Gulf South Conference of the NCAA Division II and is coached by Brenda Joiner.

“I will try my best to help my new team. I know it will be very tough to reach the nationals, but it’s worth the shot,” said Minor, who hopes to see more CNMI players playing in collegiate level.

“If you (CNMI junior players) are aiming for college tennis, keep going—don’t let anything stop you because in the end it is all worth it. For those who just started playing, it’s never too late. Just work hard every day both in academics and in tennis,” she added.