Name: Bente Spee
Born: 11 Jul. 2003
Sport: Tennis
University: University of Florida
Placed: Fall 2021

From national champion to college star: Bente Spee’s journey
Bente Spee, a top talent from the Netherlands, made the big move to the USA in 2021 to realize her tennis dreams at the University of Florida, part of the prestigious SEC and NCAA Division 1. With her impressive tennis career in the Netherlands, including winning the Dutch Championships up to age 18 and a final place at the seniors, Bente was poised to further develop herself both on the tennis court and in the classroom.

The athlete: driven and focused on success
Bente was always a regular on the Dutch national team. With her talent and perseverance, she set her sights on the next big step: college tennis in the USA. Her goal was simple but ambitious: get the most out of her tennis career while earning a high-quality degree. The team setting, in which she wanted to continue to challenge herself and her game, was essential to her.

The process: waiting for the dream offer
During the recruitment process, numerous universities were interested in Bente. The challenge? Choosing the right university that was a perfect fit for her in terms of tennis, coaching, and academic environment. Slamstox assisted Bente and her family in negotiating with different coaches and helped them to clearly visualize the different options.

An exciting moment in her journey was the long wait for a final offer from her dream school: the University of Florida. Other universities were ready to withdraw their offers, but thanks to tight communication and close guidance from Slamstox, she finally managed to secure the dream offer. The University of Florida, an absolutely top-tier university, offered her a full scholarship-the highest attainable in college tennis!

The transition to college tennis: adapting and performing
The transition to college life and intense tennis competition in the USA took some getting used to at first for Bente. But with her perseverance, she managed to adapt quickly and even made it to the top 20 in America in doubles. An achievement to be proud of!

Slamstox: the force behind successful placement
Slamstox played a crucial role in the process of Bente’s placement. From the beginning, we guided her in choosing the right university, managing communication with coaches, and negotiating scholarships. The road trip in 2021, just before her departure, provided a nice final contact moment, where we were able to discuss the final details with Bente and her family. Our personal guidance and our knowledge of American college tennis made the difference for Bente and her family.

Quote from Tosca Spee, mother of Bente:

“Huge thanks for your personal guidance of Bente and us as parents in the process, really nice, we are Slamstox ambassadors!”

The result: success both on and off the tennis court
Bente not only received a full scholarship, but also receives extra pocket money (spending money) coming from the university. With her place at the University of Florida, she has found her dream school and is well on her way to making the most of her tennis career.

During the Slamstox Road Trip, we surprised Bente with a visit just before her departure for America!

Are you interested in playing college tennis in the U.S. just like Bente? Schedule a free introduction!