Women's Tennis

My Journey

N Our Voice

Nebraska_Women_s_Tennis_2022_SB_5094

When I first arrived in Nebraska, I was terrified. It was my first time away from back home in Spain, and everything felt overwhelming. 

A new country, a foreign language, and an entirely new lifestyle to get accustomed to. 

I was lonely and lost. 

Fast forward to today, and I couldn't be more excited about my decision to move here years ago.

I've come a long way from those first days on campus.

My origin story

 

My tennis journey began at a very young age. When I was just four years old, I started swinging a racquet as a toddler! 

Tennis has been a huge part of my life ever since and often dictated what's next — including what life after high school should look like.

As I honed in on my skills and improved as a player, I was sure that I would not be going to college. It was never something I was interested in or wanted to do. 

In fact, if it wasn't for Jaime, the former Husker assistant coach, I probably wouldn't be here.

We connected on a level beyond sports, and for someone like me who wasn't overly educated on the whole college sports world, this type of relationship was everything.

When I talked to him, he helped me understand the value of Nebraska and the Big Ten. 

He made me fall in love with college tennis, really.

So, I can't thank him enough for being such a great advocate for this school and this program back in the day.

"My teammates, faculty, and the general student body were so amazing and helpful. Within a handful of weeks, I adapted to my new environment and loved being here. I was finally able to be myself."

Isabel Gallego

Growing pains

 

When I first arrived, however, there was no thanking Jaime. 

He left the school, and my primary connection to this place was suddenly gone. Let's not beat around the bush, this didn't help with the transition.

I was already anxious to come here, and now, he was gone — it was tough. You get homesick, you struggle with the language, and you just have a hard time adjusting. 

Then, add the challenge of higher education and Division I competition, and suddenly you are overwhelmed before ever really settling in, you know?

Thankfully, the Huskers had my back. 

My teammates, faculty, and the general student body were so amazing and helpful. Within a handful of weeks, I adapted to my new environment and loved being here.

I was finally able to be myself.

I grew more confident and comfortable every day and was ready to contribute to the program. 

Women_s_Tennis_vs_Michigan_State_MH_75
Women_s_Tennis_vs_Northwestern_JO0040Isabel Adrover Gallego Women's Tennis vs Northwestern
Women_s_Tennis_vs_Texas_Tech_MH_246Isabel Adrover Gallego Women's Tennis vs Texas Tech
Women_s_Tennis_vs_Omaha_SB_2362Isabel Adrover Gallego Women’s Tennis vs Omaha

Follow the leader

 

That first year, I soaked in all the information I could. 

We had two phenomenal seniors and leaders, Hayley and Claire, and I was really amazed by how they led the program. 

And we needed them.

Particularly when Covid hit in the spring of 2020 — it impacted all of us.

Thankfully, with leaders like Hayley and Claire, we were able to bond through a global pandemic and strengthen our bond even further.

That team was so special on and off the court, and that's thanks largely to the leadership we had.

Now, the tables have turned — as a Junior, I'm considered a leader, which is a weird thing to say, honestly. 

After all, just a few years earlier, I didn't even know if I belonged.

But hey, maybe that's one of the reasons I'm now in a position like this. I managed to fight through a lot of adversity to get to where I'm at today.

Teammates come to me for advice, to help them with certain problems, and I do my best to help them the same way Hayley and Claire helped me back in the day.

In fact, I still talk to Hayley and Claire regularly for guidance. 

Despite being done with school, they are not done being Huskers. 

They are always there to answer my call and help me help others. That's what makes this community so special. Once you are a part of it, you are a part of it for life!

Bright days ahead

 

On the tennis court, my best days are yet to come. I have my eyes set on becoming a professional tennis player after college, and with my training and play here at Nebraska, I'm confident I'm set up for success. 

I'm not done as a Husker, though! 

Our team has accomplished great things in my time here, and I'm confident we can do even better. 

I'll do whatever I can to push us in the right direction and put us in the history books. Because after all, that's what we all want. We have the coaching, players, and chemistry to achieve all our dreams, and I believe we are on the cusp of doing so. 

They say the journey to a place is just as fun as getting there; my journey from Mallorca, Spain, to Lincoln, Nebraska, has been a blast, but the destination has been the best. 

As a young girl, I would've never imagined calling Lincoln, Nebraska, my home, but that's what's so amazing about life; it takes you to unexpected places and paths you never would've gone alone, and now, I'm a Husker for life and better for it.