Aadithya Pai
Collin College
NJCAA
📍 Plano, Texas
International college tennis recruitment
Your Game.
Your Education.
Your Future.
Helping aspiring tennis players navigate the pathway to US college tennis—from finding the right university to understanding scholarships and eligibility.
About Play USA
More than a tennis opportunity.
Play USA Tennis Pathways supports student-athletes and families as they explore college tennis in the United States. We help make a complex recruiting process clearer, with guidance tailored to each player's tennis level, academic profile and budget.
Our aim is to provide education on the college pathway and ultimately help you find a college that suits your athletic and academic goals while meeting your family budget.
We believe there is a place for anyone aspiring to play college tennis in the United States.
Our focus is on finding the right fit—on the court, in the classroom and financially.
Our approach
Personalized guidance.Realistic opportunities.
A clear pathway forward.
From the first university shortlist to conversations with coaches, we're here to help you make informed decisions.
Meet the founder
Lachlan Puyol
Founder · Play USA Tennis Pathways
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Lachlan Puyol has experienced the US college tennis pathway firsthand. He played at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College from 2011 to 2013 before transferring to Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine.
In 2025, Lachlan was inducted into the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his collegiate athletic achievements.
Having navigated the journey from Australia to US college tennis himself, Lachlan understands the athletic, academic and personal considerations involved. He takes the time to understand each student-athlete's goals, abilities and financial circumstances, helping families identify colleges that align with their ambitions on and off the court.
“The right college is about more than tennis. It's about finding a place where each student-athlete can thrive.”
Start Your College Journey2025 Hall of Fame induction
From student-athlete to Hall of Famer
Watch Lachlan's Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Athletic Hall of Fame feature.
What we do
Support at every stage of recruiting
Practical guidance for student-athletes considering NCAA, NAIA and junior college tennis.
01
College matching
Identify universities that align with tennis ability, academic goals, location preferences and family budget.
02
Coach connections
Prepare recruiting profiles, video and outreach strategies to help introduce athletes to college programs.
03
Eligibility guidance
Guidance through the NCAA Eligibility Center and NAIA Eligibility Center, including academic documentation, registration and recruiting timelines.
04
Scholarship education
Understand athletic and academic aid, total attendance costs and realistic financial expectations.
05
Transfer pathways
Explore transfer opportunities from junior colleges and other institutions, with attention to eligibility requirements.
06
F-1 student visa guidance
Guidance through the F-1 student visa application process, including the I-20, SEVIS fee, DS-160 and interview preparation. Visa decisions are made by US authorities.
07
Family support
Help athletes and parents compare options and ask the right questions before making a commitment.
How it works
A straightforward process
Every player's journey is different. Our process starts by understanding your goals and building a realistic plan.
1
Tell us about your goals
Share your tennis background, academics, intended start date and budget.
2
Build your university shortlist
Identify programs that match your profile and priorities.
3
Prepare and connect
Develop recruiting materials and begin targeted coach outreach.
4
Evaluate your options
Compare potential offers, costs and eligibility requirements.
Real player journeys
Our player placements
A selection of student-athletes who have progressed to US college tennis through Play USA Tennis Pathways.
Deagan Tomkins
Springfield College · Massachusetts
NCAA Division III
📍 Springfield, Massachusetts
Maryam Awais
Texas A&M University–Texarkana
NAIA
📍 Texarkana, Texas
Featured signing
Julian Blainey
Weatherford College
NJCAA
📍 Weatherford, Texas
Ned Simpson
Meridian Community College
NJCAA
📍 Meridian, Mississippi
Sam Dinneen
Pratt Community College
NJCAA
📍 Pratt, Kansas
Vincent Gazzini
Christian Brothers University
NCAA Division II
📍 Memphis, Tennessee
Player success stories
Beyond signing day
Celebrating the achievements of student-athletes as they compete in US college tennis.
2026 · Pratt Community College
Sam Dinneen:
Double national champion
From his college signing to championship success, Sam Dinneen's journey illustrates the opportunities available through US junior college tennis.
🏆 Team National Champion2026 NJCAA Division I men's tennis
🏅 No. 1 Doubles Champion2026 NJCAA Division I men's tennis
Sam was part of Pratt Community College's national championship-winning team and also captured the No. 1 doubles national title.
Start Your PathwayOur partners
Building pathways together
Working with tennis professionals who share our commitment to helping players explore opportunities in US college tennis.
Melbourne, AustraliaPOWA Tennis × Play USA Tennis Pathways
We are proud to partner with POWA Tennis in Melbourne, Australia, working specifically with John Paci.
This partnership connects our tennis communities in Australia and the United States, supporting aspiring student-athletes as they explore US college tennis opportunities.
John Paci
POWA Tennis · Melbourne
Melbourne, AustraliaPrestige Tennis Academy
Play USA Tennis Pathways partner in Melbourne. Further partnership details coming soon.
Visit Prestige Tennis Academy ↗
Melbourne, AustraliaJEMIK
Strength & Conditioning partner. Further partnership details coming soon.
Melbourne, Australia · Tennis mediaThe First Serve
Australia's commercial tennis radio program hosted by Brett Phillips, with a regular college tennis segment contributed by Play USA.
Visit The First Serve ↗On air & on the podcast
College tennis conversations
Sharing the latest college tennis results and first-hand perspectives on the pathway from Australia to the United States.
Radio · MelbourneThe First Serve
Broadcast Monday nights, 8:00–10:00 pm Melbourne time. Lachlan contributes a college tennis segment covering results and performances by Australians competing at US colleges.
Broadcast times may change; check the program's current schedule.
The First Serve website ↗
Monthly podcastPlay USA
Lachlan goes inside the journeys of Australians pursuing the US college tennis pathway—including those with professional tennis ambitions. Through conversations with student-athletes, college coaches and administrators, the podcast offers education, experiences and insights for aspiring players and their families.
Listen to the Podcast ↗In their words
What players and families say
Real experiences from athletes and families who have worked with Play USA Tennis Pathways.
“Working with you felt like a breath of fresh air—your straightforward, authentic approach was such a comfort compared to typical marketing spiels. Our first meeting to align on goals and expectations set us up for success and was immensely helpful.
“The biggest strength that Lachlan brings to college recruiting is the care he takes in developing a personal connection with his athletes. As I experienced first hand, Lachy wanted to understand where my priorities lie and why that may be.
“Getting to college using Play USA Tennis Pathways has made my journey super, super easy having Lachy in the states and Johnny in Melbourne has made the whole process super smooth and I couldn’t be more happy with the result.
“I’m very lucky that I picked Play USA Tennis Pathways to help guide me through the process. John and Lachy were very helpful. It’s very good to have someone from the US and also in Australia to talk with.
“Working with Play USA Tennis Pathways was one of the best decisions I have made. Lachy is not only a very diligent and knowledgeable college recruiting agent, he genuinely takes the time to get to know you beyond your athletic abilities.
I'm extremely grateful for their support and couldn’t recommend Play USA Tennis Pathways more highly to any athlete pursuing college opportunities.
Take the first step
Ready to explore US college tennis?
Tell us about your tennis goals and we'll help you understand what the next steps could look like.
Email Play USAOr email us directly: playusatennispathways@gmail.com