In early January, varsity tennis standouts Manavi and Manasi Bedi officially announced their collegiate commitments. Manavi will continue her tennis career at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia while Manasi has committed to Hamilton College in Clinton, New York where she plans to major in Economics and minor in Statistics. Manavi is currently undecided on her major.
While their college plans mark an exciting new chapter, the sisters’ commitment to the Lambert tennis community has been years in the making. They first picked up a racket in second grade, beginning with recreational play before training at a local tennis club. Tennis soon became more than a sport and instead grew as a shared passion that shaped their relationship as athletes and as twins.
“We started playing in second grade just for fun,” Manavi said. “But over time it became something we cherished deeply and wanted to pursue more seriously.”
Although the Bedis are online students, joining Lambert Varsity Tennis in their freshman year gave them a sense of belonging that became central to their online experience. Having been fully remote since the pandemic, they initially felt disconnected from traditional school life, but a friend encouraged them to try out for Lambert’s team—an opportunity that changed the course of their high school years.
“Even though we learned online, Lambert tennis made the school feel like home,” Manasi stated. “We found an incredible community here. Teammates became friends, coaches inspired us and the team culture pushed us to grow as players.”
With each new season, their responsibilities and expectations increased. They both described the transition from middle school and junior competition to the intensity of varsity tennis as a major shift, but one that taught them accountability and teamwork. Throughout their high school careers, they competed in regional, state and national tournaments and represented Lambert Tennis with pride.
Along with their competitive achievements, they made several memories along the way. One memory, in particular, stands out as a favorite: a team trip to Nashville for a major competition where they met varsity players from schools across the Southeast.
“It was such a fun experience,” Manavi recalled. “We bonded with our teammates and with players on the boys’ team. It showed us how welcoming and tightknit our community was.”
As they prepare for collegiate athletics, Manavi and Manasi look forward to new challenges and opportunities. They are excited to grow as players and meet teammates and coaches who will shape the next chapter of their tennis careers.
“We are excited to see how this new phase of our journey will shape us both as players and people,” Manasi shared. “College tennis will push us in new ways and we cannot wait to compete at the next level and continue doing what we love.”
The twins shared a deep appreciation for the support they received from their family, coaches and the Lambert community that embraced them even as online students.
“Lambert tennis gave us a home even though we aren’t physically on campus every day. We will always be grateful for that.” Manasi shared.
The Bedi sisters leave behind a meaningful legacy of dedication and excellence in the Lambert tennis program. Their journey reflects what passion and perseverance can create when supported by a strong community.
