Vanguard University

The athlete: Anna is back for her third season as a member of the Blue and Gold tennis program?primarily played the number-four spot for the Lions as a sophomore in 2009?easily the most improved player from 2008?has helped VU reach two straight NAIA National Tournaments??came to Vanguard from Gothenburg, Sweden as a freshman?graduated from Katrinelundsgymnasiet in Gothenburg, Sweden where she played for Head Coach Theodor Strom?injuries slowed down a promising career in Sweden?right-handed?has played for 13 years?expected to continue to improve?should be an impact player for VUSC in the spring of 2010.

The person: Anna Helena Valingsten was born in Gothenburg, Germany on May 20, 1988 to parents Po and Christina?has one older sister?major is Business Adminisration ?loves to eat Italian food and chicken?favorite color is black and number is 1?favorite movie is "The Notebook" and TV show is "Sex in the City"?sports hero is Zlatan?enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to music, and shopping?says honesty is the most important characteristic for a person to have?most respects her mom, because of the person she is?learned in life to never give up and take one step at a time?tennis has taught her responsibility, respect, organization, and independence...career goal is to graduate with a B.A in Business and get a job in finance.

Her thoughts: I came to Vanguard because I heard it was a good school and located well.

Coach Johansson's comment: Anna is back for her third season at VU. She played fantastic tennis at #4 for us last season, and improved the most from the previous year of anyone on our team. She has great returns and hits the ball harder than anyone on the team. If Anna continues to improve, there is no limit to who she can beat and where she will play in the lineup.