MISSION VIEJO, Calif. --- After two successful years at University of Dayton, Mary Brascia is coming back to Southern California to pursue some great opportunities.

Brascia will study cinema and media arts at Biola's top-ranked film school as she works toward her dream job of being a game show producer. She will simultaneously move closer to home and join an Eagles women's tennis team that is ready to make an impact at its conference championship. And she'll get to enjoy the bright Southern California days on and off the tennis court.

"I chose Biola because of the Christian community and the Cinema and Media Arts program. I'm glad I'll be able to grow in my faith, and have the opportunity to represent the Eagles as a student-athlete," said Brascia. "I'm excited to play tennis in the sun on the west coast again and being close to Disneyland is a plus, too. I'm very thankful to Coach Goodman for the opportunity to be a part of this team!"

Brascia initially committed to Dayton after building an impressive resume at Capistrano Valley High School. She was a two-time undefeated Sea View League Singles Champion, qualified for two CIF Championships, and helped lead the Cougars to back-to-back team league titles in 2016 and 2017. 

Brascia was also named Capistrano Valley's best All-Around Athlete during her senior year and served as the ASB secretary. 

The Mission Viejo, California-native started every match of her freshman spring season when she got to Dayton and picked up a satisfying 6-4, 6-2 win over an opponent from rival Saint Louis that tied the dual match score for the Flyers at 3-3. She won her team's Best Mental Attitude Award that year and followed that up with a 5-2 singles record and three doubles wins during the abbreviated 2020 season. 

Away from the court, Brascia was a very bright student at Dayton and pursued some great experience in preparation for a career in production. She was named to the 2018-19 Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll and also picked up ITA Scholar-Athlete in 2019 after earning a 3.8 GPA. Then she also found the time to represent her team on the Dayton Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and work as a sideline reporter at Flyer soccer and volleyball matches for ESPN+.

Mary Brascia will enter Biola with three years of tennis eligibility at her disposal and joins a women's tennis team that is shaping up to be a force at the 2021 PacWest Championships. More information on the incoming 2020-21 class that will join her at Biola can be found on the Committed Athletes page.