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Kasler commits to Auburn

Three-time state champion can sign paperwork in NovemberBY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Jackie Kasler verbally commited to play tennis for Auburn University on June 22. Jackie Kasler's phone will start ringing off the hook this week, but she'll have some bad news for all college coaches - her mind's made up.

Kasler, a three-time state champion at Gulf Breeze High, verbally committed to Auburn University on June 22. Although a verbal commitment isn't binding, chances are slim Kasler will be swayed.

"I just loved the Auburn atmosphere, the SEC atmosphere, the coaches, just the way the coaches run their program," Kasler said about staying in The Plains to play for the Lady Tigers. "I definitely wanted to be in the South and they have a great vetinarian school. I want to be a vet - I'm leaning that way. And they have one of the best."

Just as Kasler loves the SEC, the SEC loves her as well. She turned down a full offer from LSU and is expecting to get calls from Arkansas and Tennessee this week. LSU was going to be at Kasler's house on July 11.

"It was really stressful because I didn't know if I wanted to commit yet. I hadn't looked at all these schools," Kasler said.

"July 1, they can start calling you, but I just knew I would fit in at Auburn. I know it's final - nothing's going to change...I need a coach that will push me and I think Auburn is the best choice for that."

Kasler was at Auburn a few weeks ago for Auburn's tennis camp, as was her GBHS doubles partner Jen Pfeifler.

"I just fell in love with it - fell in love with the coaching, fell in love with Auburn itself," Kasler said. "I came home, then two days later, I committed."

"The reason I committed so soon was that they had four spots for my year, which is huge. And was going to offer six girls and whoever accepted them first got it (Kasler was the third one). That's why I committed fast."

Kasler's been in Fort Lauderdale for the past week, getting ready for what's going to be a hectic month for her.

"My coach went to Jacksonville and I don't have anyone to hit with besides Jen," Kasler said. "(I'm) just getting some good training in, some good fitness in. Summer's about to get crazy. It's been crazy already."

Kasler will be in Tallahassee this weekend playing doubles in a tournament with Pfeifler. A week later, she'll be in Memphis. followed by a trip to Novato, Calif. with Team Florida.

Kasler will then drive up to Berkeley, Calif. for a week of tennis before coming home to rest for all of a week before school starts. "I think I've been home four days," she said.

Kasler, a die-hard Florida fan, wanted to play for the Lady Gators, but didn't think she'd like going to a school of that size. UF had more than 51,000 students at the beginning of last fall's semester, according to their website.

"I've been to Florida so many times. I've been a Gator fan, but I don't know if I'd even fit in in Gainesville," Kasler said. "I don't know if I wanted to be in that big a school. I like Auburn's size, Auburn's big, but not Florida big."

Auburn had between 24 and 25,000 students last year, according to their website.

"He still can't call me, even though I've committed. July 1, he can start calling me once a week," she said. "I can call him, but he can't return my calls. I have to call and he has to answer."

"He told me 'Jackie, I really want you, you're one of my top choices. I know you're looking at a lot of other schools, but I'm going to offer six other girls in the next couple of weeks and whoever commits first gets it.'"

Auburn went 11-13 in dual match play last year and 3-7 in the SEC. They lost to Alabama in the first round of the SEC Tournament and to Florida State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.