SAN FRANCISCO -- The Academy of Art women's tennis team is getting a head start on next season, as head coach Clarisse Baca announces the signing of Erica Hellbe for Fall 2020.
 
"I am very excited to welcome Erica to the team," said Baca. "Her diverse tennis game will be a perfect piece to complete the overall talent that we currently have. Currently she is working hard to improve her fitness and polish some aspects of her technique."
 
Born to Elisabeth and Torbjorn Hellbe in Stockholm, Sweden, Erica initially signed her National Letter of Intent to play at ART U prior to the current dead period. Most recently, Hellbe competed in the Swedish Nationals Indoors where she qualified for the main draw and won her initial match. Earlier this year, Hellbe placed first at the Nordea Nordic Cup on the Stockholm Junior Tour and at the SEB Karlskrona Open. Erica's brother, Henrik, played collegiate tennis at Coker University.
 
"She is ranked among the top 20 players in the country under 18 [years old] and that's the type of level that we need to bring in order to achieve our goal of a conference and national title," said Baca.