Jenkins to join sister at Liberty

There were many schools lobbying for Lakewood Ranch tennis player Rebekah Jenkins.

The Mustang decided to follow in her family’s footsteps.

A senior, Jenkins signed a letter-of-intent Tuesday to play Division I tennis at Liberty University, joining her older sister, Jordan, a senior at the Lynchburg, Va., school.

“My sister,” Rebekah said, “she’s something else.”

The older Jenkins told the younger Jenkins all about the perks of playing tennis with the Flames, who compete in the Big South Conference.

“She told me how everything is five-star, and they put their players in a winning environment,” Rebekah said. “And that’s what really got me. When you go into a tournament, you go in with the mindset of winning. ... And Liberty does that so well.”

Jenkins was also considering schools such as Pepperdine, Cornell and Columbia, and is also looking forward to playing for Flames coach Chris Johnson.

“He’s amazing,” she said.

Liberty went 13-4 last season and 4-1 in conference play.

Jenkins played for the Mustangs during her freshman and sophomore seasons, but missed last year because of an arm injury which she said may require surgery. Consequently, she is unsure if she will play for Lakewood Ranch this spring.

Upon getting to college, Rebekah may major in law or psychology.

Regardless, she will be happy to be playing tennis with her sister — and is happy now that the decision is out of the way.

“I think it’s better when you sign earlier,” she said. “You don’t have to worry about it all year.”