KUCHING: Sarawakian tennis player Nathanielle Ann Lee has achieved another significant milestone in her sporting career after delivering an impressive performance at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Women’s Tennis Championship in the United States.

Representing Cowley College of Kansas, Nathanielle competed in the prestigious national championship held in Sumter, South Carolina, from May 2 to 6, where she helped her team secure a runner-up finish against some of the strongest collegiate programmes in the country.

The Kuching-born player also enjoyed a standout campaign in the doubles event, advancing to the semifinals to finish among the top four women’s doubles teams in the nation.

Cowley College is recognised as one of the leading junior college tennis programmes in the United States, making the achievement a notable accomplishment for the Sarawakian athlete as she continues to make her mark on the international stage.

Nathanielle began her tennis journey through the PTBS Junior Development Programme and was nurtured under the guidance of Coach Norhairi Khaider before furthering her studies and tennis career in the United States.

Competing at the national collegiate championship provided valuable exposure to a high level of competition and allowed her to test herself against elite collegiate players from across the country.

Nathanielle is currently back in Sarawak and has shifted her focus to preparations for the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor, where she is expected to play a pivotal role in Sarawak’s campaign.

As one of the state’s leading women’s players, her experience gained overseas is expected to strengthen Sarawak’s challenge at the national multi-sport games.

Her latest achievement not only underscores her growing reputation in international tennis but also reflects the success of the development pathway established by PTBS and Coach Norhairi Khaider in nurturing young talents and helping them progress to higher levels of competition. -UKASnews