Written by Whitney Dixon
Freshman Benyapa “Pompom” Phumtip may be new to the United States and new to Harding, but she is definitely not new to tennis. Having played the sport since she was nine, she has a lot to offer the Harding women’s tennis team.”She’s one of our top players without question. She could be a difference maker for us,” said David Elliott, head tennis coach.Phumtip is from Bangkok, Thailand, and though she knew she wanted to attend college in the U.S., she had never heard of Harding.”I guess we discovered each other,” Elliott said.Elliot began by corresponding with Phumtip via e-mail and then proceeded with the recruiting process.”I felt like she was a great fit for us,” he said.Though Phumtip had never heard of Harding, she said she knew Harding would allow her to pursue her education while still playing the sport she loves. In Thailand, pursuing both interests would not have been easy. Phumtip said that in Thailand, sports are not as prominent at the universities.”If I want to study and play sports together, it’s impossible. It’s like, you have to study first, you must study hard,” Phumtip said.However, Phumtip said playing sports is just as important a learning experience as academics.”Playing sports, it teaches you a lot of things: the team and your mind and your responsibility,” Phumtip said. “If you have a responsibility with a sport you must have responsibility with everything in your life.”Phumtip said that at first she was worried about being away from her family, but despite the separation she has thrived. She said her favorite thing about Harding is the people.”They’re kind; they’re nice,” Phumtip said. “They care about other people.”In that respect, Phumtip fits right in. Elliott said that Phumtip loves her team and has been known to bring back gifts for them after breaks. He said she has the type of infectious personality people are naturally drawn to.”She’s just a caring, giving-type person, and that’s very impressive,” Elliott said.Phumtip said she would love to play tennis professionally but is not sure whether she will get to that point. Regardless, she sees tennis as a part of her life that will endure.”I think I will play tennis forever,” Phumtip said.
