SAN FRANCISCO – While Academy of Art women's tennis has just begun its 2023 spring season, the Urban Knights are keeping one eye on the future by announcing the first member of its Fall 2023 recruiting class, as joining ART U in August will be Amelija Supulniece (Riga, Latvia/Rigas Distance Secondary School). 

"Amelija is the one of those artists and athletes that we want to work with," said ART U Head Coach Clarisse Baca. "The combination of her craft as a painter and as a competitive tennis player, makes her a unique recruit and we can't wait to see her in San Francisco in the Fall. Her passionate and deliberate personality and international tennis experience will fit right into the growth of our team."

Coming to The City from Latvia, Supulniece enjoyed a national ranking as high as No. 10 in her home country while also being ranked No. 487 by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and adding a Universal Tennis Rating of 8.67 and 23 World Tennis Number. Just last calendar year she made the singles finals of ITF J4 Ventspils in Latvia, and achieved multiple appearances in quarterfinals and semifinals of J4-J3 ITF tournaments. In doubles action, she won the ITF J5 Tallinn in Estonia, as well as also appearing in other ITF tournaments quarterfinals and semifinals. 

"I decided to join ART U because of ability to have art and tennis together," Supulniece said. "I also really liked the connection with Coach Baca, and I feel like ART U is just the right place to be. I'm excited about being part of the team and having new experiences and new opportunities."

Supulniece will enroll in the School of Interaction & UI/UX Design upon her graduation from Rigas Distance Secondary School.