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Rutgers head coach Hilary Ritchie was scouting a recruit at a Southern Level I tournament in Mobile, Alabama when she noticed a player on the next court.

Jackeline Lopez didn’t know any college coaches were attending the event, but she impressed Ritchie with her play.

Five-Star Jackeline Lopez Signs With Rutgers
© Contributed Photo

“Just her game style, her intensity and the way she struck the ball really caught my eye,” Ritchie said. “I ended up watching her whole match and I reached out to her after the tournament.”

The two began communicating and eventually scheduled an official visit that took place last year. Lopez had an added incentive to consider Rutgers - her two older sisters live in New Jersey.

The five-star senior from Lawrenceville, Georgia verbally committed last December and signed with Rutgers last month.

“It really felt like home right away,” Lopez said. “The coaches were really nice and the girls on the team were great. I also really like the competition that they have.”

Ritchie was pleased with the strong rapport she established with Lopez from the time they first met.

“She was very down to earth and asked a lot of really good questions initially,” Ritchie said. “We just hit it off really well in our conversations. It ended up being a great fit for us.”