What began as a rotary exchange resulted in much more for Saluki tennis player Sanem Berksoy. It was the starting point of a journey stretching across the globe.

Berksoy came to the United States as an exchange student at East Moline United Township High School in East Moline from Istanbul, Turkey in 1993.

She placed seventh in the 1993 IHSA State tournament in her senior year for East Moline. Berksoy also played for the Turkish National team. She was ranked No. 2 in the 18-and-under age group.

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Increased opportunities to play tennis and further her education convinced Berksoy to extend the length of her U.S. visit.

I decided to stay here to go to college and play tennis at the same time, she said.

Balancing both tennis and school was difficult for Berskoy while in Turkey. She played club tennis there because tennis wass not a designated school sport. Her teachers could not work around the time required for her to play, leaving summer as the primary tournament season.

There are school sports in the United States, Berksoy said. In Turkey, I played for a club. It is much harder to play.

The Saluki women’s tennis team and head coach Judy Auld were factors in Berksoy’s decision to attend SIUC.

I came to visit and I liked the team, she said. There is great chemistry. And I liked the coach.

Auld said that Berksoy has a natural talent for the game that cannot be taught.

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She( Berksoy) is a very deceptive player, she said. She is much faster than she looks and gets to many shots. You can’t teach that to everyone.

Auld also said that Berksoy has an extreme desire to win.

She has to be beaten, she said. She will not beat herself.

The Salukis are back in action Sept. 29-30 when they host Louisville, Memphis and Oral Roberts.