FLUSHING, N.Y.- On Thursday (Apr 22), the Queens College Knights women's tennis Head Coach
Alan Nagel announced the commitment of local star
Shakima Hotaki (Flushing, N.Y.) to its roster for the 2021-22 season.
The product of The Queens School of Inquiry Wildcats will continue her education and playing career for the Knights beginning in the 2021-22 school year.
Nagel statement on Shakima Hotaki:
"Shakima is going to be a major asset starting her in her freshman year as she has the potential to be an immediate impact player. She has powerful ground strokes off her forehand and backhand, while possessing an outstanding serve and volley. She has a great attitude both on and off the court. We are very fortunate to have Shakima commit to Queens College and staying in her hometown. I am looking forward to her practicing everyday with our other outstanding players starting in the fall."
Hotaki brings a championship-caliber resume to Flushing as she was the Co-MVP during her sophomore (2018-19) year and earned MVP honors in her junior (2019-20) season. After winning the PSAL Division B Championship in 2018-2019, Hotaki finished the season as a finalist in the PSAL City Tournament and in the New York State Federation Championships.
In her sophomore and junior year for the Wildcats, she would finish the regular season and PSAL postseason play undefeated with an overall record of 21-0 at the No. 1 singles spot. In 2018-19 Hotaki advanced to the semi-final round of the Mayor's Cup All-Scholastics Tennis Championships.
She was ranked #1 in the Girls 10 division, while in the ITF National ranking, she was ranked as one of the top 150 players in the nation. In 2019, Hotaki would win the USTA National Women's Consolation championship played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and would go to earn a spot on the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center competition team.
No stranger to the campus of Queens College, Hotaki takes her high school classes at Queens College. She stated "it is a very diverse community of students, very close to home, and met the nicest staff members" on her commitment to Queens College and the Knights program.
Getting to Know Shakima Hotaki
Intended Profession: Crime Analyst/Professional Tennis
Pre-game Rituals: giving herself a little talk
Quote/Motto: "It's not how you start, but how you finish"
Fun Fact: At the age of 9, she was invited as a MVP to Madison Square Garden's Tennis Night in America and got to meet several Tennis All-Stars such as Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Rafael Nadal, and Juan Del Potro. Got interviewed by "Time for Kids"
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