2025-26 Women's Tennis Roster
Candy Wai
- Class:
- Junior
- Prev School:
- Tyler Junior College
- Height:
- 5-5
- Hometown:
- Hong Kong, China
Previous School (Tyler Junior College, 2023-25)
Prep
Personal
Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
During my visit here at Liberty, I was fortunate enough to meet with the women's tennis team and to experience campus a little. Everyone made me feel so safe and at home, and the culture here was just incredible. I immediately knew after my visit that I wanted to compete for Liberty. And having had Liberty’s current head coach as my head coach freshman year at TJC, I know his coaching style and that his values align with mine. I am confident that I will be able to keep improving my tennis at Liberty University.
Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
I listen to hype music before my matches to get myself hyped.
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My Aunt Mechele and Uncle Jeff are my inspirations in life. They welcomed me as part of their family and showed me unconditional love even though I was a complete stranger. They are such kind and generous people, willing to help whoever is in need. They make me want to keep improving myself to become a better person who can give back to society.
If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
25, because that is my birthday.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My brother Oscar Wai is a tennis player for Holy Cross College in Indiana.
Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
Breakfast is my favorite because it is the first meal of the day. My favorite breakfast food is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
WhatsApp
What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
Scrapbooking
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Roger Federer
What is your favorite possession and why?
My car, because I love driving.
What is your go-to karaoke song?
“Careless Whispers”
What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Venice is my dream vacation spot because it is a beautiful city. I have always wanted to visit Italy and experience real Italian food.
- As a freshman under head coach Dash Connell, played in the No. 1 doubles position and the No. 2 singles slot
- Named the 2024 JUCO (junior college) Women’s Tennis ITA Rookie of the Year
- Selected as a first-team Singles All-American and a second-team Doubles All-American
- Posted a 16-9 singles record and a 20-6 doubles mark
- Finished fourth in singles at the ITA Cup in 2023 and third in doubles
- In her sophomore season, entered the 2024 ITA Cup as the event’s No. 1 seed
- Secured the ITA Cup singles championship with a 3-0 record
- Named the ITA Sophomore of the Year
- Finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation (JUCO) and No. 4 in the country in doubles
Prep
- Competed in multiple tournaments in both singles and doubles in China and Hong Kong preceding the COVID-19 pandemic
- Secured a 2-10 record in both singles and doubles
- Held a career-high ITF junior ranking of 2369
Personal
- Daughter of Bun Walter Wai and Sau Fan Tse
- Intends to major in sports management
- Birthday is Oct. 25
Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
During my visit here at Liberty, I was fortunate enough to meet with the women's tennis team and to experience campus a little. Everyone made me feel so safe and at home, and the culture here was just incredible. I immediately knew after my visit that I wanted to compete for Liberty. And having had Liberty’s current head coach as my head coach freshman year at TJC, I know his coaching style and that his values align with mine. I am confident that I will be able to keep improving my tennis at Liberty University.
Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
I listen to hype music before my matches to get myself hyped.
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My Aunt Mechele and Uncle Jeff are my inspirations in life. They welcomed me as part of their family and showed me unconditional love even though I was a complete stranger. They are such kind and generous people, willing to help whoever is in need. They make me want to keep improving myself to become a better person who can give back to society.
If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
25, because that is my birthday.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My brother Oscar Wai is a tennis player for Holy Cross College in Indiana.
Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
Breakfast is my favorite because it is the first meal of the day. My favorite breakfast food is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
Scrapbooking
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Roger Federer
What is your favorite possession and why?
My car, because I love driving.
What is your go-to karaoke song?
“Careless Whispers”
What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Venice is my dream vacation spot because it is a beautiful city. I have always wanted to visit Italy and experience real Italian food.
Coach Connell Talks About The Win Over KSU
Thursday, April 17
Joaquim Almeida Talks About The Upcoming CUSA Tournament
Tuesday, April 15
Daniella O'Neill Talks About The Upcoming CUSA Tournament
Tuesday, April 15
Joaquim Almeida: Finding the Lord and Liberty
Friday, April 11
