Blue Chip Recruit Midori Castillo Meza is Officially a Wildcat
TUCSON, Ariz. – Head women's tennis coach Ryan Stotland signed blue chip American recruit Midori Castillo Meza to a National Letter of Intent. Castillo Meza will be joining the Wildcats in the fall of 2021. Castillo Meza is currently ranked 23 in the country and has been as high as 3 in the country. She is the highest ranked American recruit in Coach Stotland's tenure at the University of Arizona, and the first blue chip recruit since Lacey Smyth in 2010 when Coach Stotland was the assistant coach.
"I have been lucky enough to travel the world watching tennis and I have seen Midori compete for years. Out of anyone I have seen play, her amazing success as a player has stemmed from her professionalism on and off the court. I gravitated towards Midori to watch every point she played and the way she handled her pre game routine with her father. The first thing she told us when she signed was that she won't let us down. Wildcat Fans should be excited as Midori caps off an incredible recruiting class." said Coach Stotland. "Midori has high aspirations for her career and we believe she can help the team strive towards our goals as a team, and help her develop both on and off the court. We are not only getting a consummate professional, but a genuine and authentic human being who will reach the Wildcat Nation with her endearing personality and passion for her sport. With Midori's belief in our program, we know that the Arizona program is on the rise!"
Castillo Meza comes to the Wildcats after a highly successful junior career, where she won the Winter Nationals in Tucson in 2018 and was a finalist in doubles at the Orange Bowl in 2019. The San Diego native was also a doubles semi-finalist in the Cancun ITF tournament in March, 2020. Castillo Meza has also won three tournaments on the ITF junior circuit and won the Women's Open Sectionals in 2019.
As well as her success on the court, Castillo Meza won the sportsmanship award at the Billie Jean Girls National Championship and was named the Hispanic Athlete of the Year in Baja California, Mexico.
"I chose the University of Arizona after falling in love with Tucson after winning the Winter Nationals here in 2018", Castillo Meza said. "I had been to many different places and Tucson just felt different. It felt like home to me. The University of Arizona is absolutely gorgeous. The sports facility is just outstanding, and the business school there is one of the best in the nation. Lastly, I feel like the coaches will help me improve as a tennis player, but more importantly as a person."
Her favorite place to play tennis is anywhere in Mexico, as Castillo Meza loves the environment with the crowds supporting and cheering, making it a fun experience.
When not on the tennis court, Castillo Meza loves to hike, surf, cook and to go on roadtrips. Before her tennis career started, she was an aspiring Ping Pong player with aspirations to be a professional. This has helped Castillo Meza become a tremendous competitor, as she fell in love with competing from a young age, especially with her older sister.
Castillo Meza is the daughter of Pablo Castillo Alvarez and Elsa Meza Rodriguez. She has one sister, Naomi and is of Mexican heritage. She says her father has been the biggest influence on her tennis career as he was the one who introduced her to the sport at a young age. He travels with Castillo Meza to every tournament and has shown her what it is like to be relentless and what it takes to succeed in life.