Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
MSU Women’s Tennis Feature: Fish And Chips And Tennis Too
4/19/2025 10:14:00 AM | Women's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Long before they arrived at Michigan State, women's tennis players Ellie Blackford, Oriana Parkins-Godwin, and Issey Purser knew each other well, but not as teammates.
The trio from England often competed in the same tournaments, facing off against each other on opposite sides of the net. Now, they're not just teammates, they're each other's support system while adjusting to life in a new country.
"We all played at schools that would compete against each other," said Blackford, a freshman from Chelmsford, England. "Issey beat me in my first ever final of an ITF I had ever been in and it completely broke my heart. I wasn't the same for about a week."
Despite once being rivals, their careers have now converged at Michigan State. Each player's path to East Lansing was different.
Blackford competed in the Wimbledon Juniors in 2022 and 2023, and won the LTA 18U National Doubles title in 2023. She was encouraged to go to the U.S. by her father, a former college athlete.
Parkins-Godwin, a redshirt sophomore from London, began her college career at Drake University, earning First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and competing in the fall MVC championships as a freshman. Seeking stronger athletic and academic competition, she transferred to MSU, where she also found a sense of connection she had missed.
"At my old university, I was the only Brit," said Parkins-Godwin. "Coming here, I'm able to reminisce about all the old TV shows or something… I can just be more of who I am. Be fully English."
Purser, a junior from Ascot, England, added, "It's been great having people that actually understand some of the things that I say and know the places that I'm talking about…It's nice that there are two other girls on this team that are going through almost the identical steps that I'm doing."
Purser has won a Great Britain National Schools 18U title, finished third at the World Schools Championships in Italy, and competed in the 2021 Wimbledon Juniors. Inspired by her older brother, Luke, who played Division I tennis at Youngstown State, she pursued college tennis despite the struggle of being so far from family.
"My brother's my best friend. When he left, it took a big toll on me and my mum, for sure," she said. "The three of us are very, very, close to each other. Seeing him happy made us very happy, and it's what inspired me to come here."
The COVID-19 pandemic made the separation even harder.
"I didn't see my brother for 23 months," said Purser. "He was on lockdown in his apartment in Connecticut, which was obviously one of the worst things possible."
Beyond missing family, the little things can also cause homesickness. Food, in particular, has been a major adjustment.
"I really miss my local fish and chip shop that my parents and I always go to. I don't love fish, but I always get sausage in batter with chips and curry sauce. Everyone thinks I'm insane…but it is actually the best thing ever," said Blackford with a laugh.
Parkins-Godwin added, "The sweets and desserts I really miss…There's a World Market here that has all the stuff that I like. I just bulk-buy everything, and if anyone wants anything, they can have it."
Playing in the U.S. has provided opportunities they wouldn't have had in England, despite the challenges of moving so far from home.
"There's loads more tournaments on offer for juniors here," said Parkins-Godwin. "There's at least two a week somewhere, whereas at home it's one a week. And it could be in Scotland. It could be in the middle of nowhere."
Purser added, "The facilities over here are so much better. There's so much space."
Blackford, a political science major, appreciates how the U.S. education system allows her to tailor her studies in ways she wouldn't have been able to in England.
"It was the only thing I ever felt really passionate about aside from tennis," she said. "I love being able to specialize my degree and pick my classes. If I graduate, which is the goal, I would be the first person in my family to earn a university degree. That's something I hope to be very proud of."
International athletes are a vital part of Michigan State women's tennis, as more than half the players on the team are not from the United States. Head coach Kim Bruno believes this dynamic strengthens the team.
"I think it really adds a lot of depth to the team because you've got to understand where people are coming from, which just helps create a fostered environment for success," Bruno said.
Beyond their talent, the British trio has brought energy, enthusiasm, and determination to the program.
"They're fun to be around. They're upbeat most of the time. They want to win, they want to better themselves, and they want to be good teammates," Bruno added.
For Blackford, Parkins-Godwin, and Purser, MSU isn't just a place to play tennis. It's become a second home.
"We really support each other," said Blackford. "When I'm feeling down, if I'm feeling sad or a bit tearful, they can relate. They have the same experiences as me."
Blackford, Parkins-Godwin, Purser and the rest of the Spartan women's team wrap up regular-season action on Saturday, May 19 at in-state rival Michigan.
The trio from England often competed in the same tournaments, facing off against each other on opposite sides of the net. Now, they're not just teammates, they're each other's support system while adjusting to life in a new country.
"We all played at schools that would compete against each other," said Blackford, a freshman from Chelmsford, England. "Issey beat me in my first ever final of an ITF I had ever been in and it completely broke my heart. I wasn't the same for about a week."
Despite once being rivals, their careers have now converged at Michigan State. Each player's path to East Lansing was different.
Blackford competed in the Wimbledon Juniors in 2022 and 2023, and won the LTA 18U National Doubles title in 2023. She was encouraged to go to the U.S. by her father, a former college athlete.
Parkins-Godwin, a redshirt sophomore from London, began her college career at Drake University, earning First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and competing in the fall MVC championships as a freshman. Seeking stronger athletic and academic competition, she transferred to MSU, where she also found a sense of connection she had missed.
"At my old university, I was the only Brit," said Parkins-Godwin. "Coming here, I'm able to reminisce about all the old TV shows or something… I can just be more of who I am. Be fully English."
Purser, a junior from Ascot, England, added, "It's been great having people that actually understand some of the things that I say and know the places that I'm talking about…It's nice that there are two other girls on this team that are going through almost the identical steps that I'm doing."
Purser has won a Great Britain National Schools 18U title, finished third at the World Schools Championships in Italy, and competed in the 2021 Wimbledon Juniors. Inspired by her older brother, Luke, who played Division I tennis at Youngstown State, she pursued college tennis despite the struggle of being so far from family.
"My brother's my best friend. When he left, it took a big toll on me and my mum, for sure," she said. "The three of us are very, very, close to each other. Seeing him happy made us very happy, and it's what inspired me to come here."
The COVID-19 pandemic made the separation even harder.
"I didn't see my brother for 23 months," said Purser. "He was on lockdown in his apartment in Connecticut, which was obviously one of the worst things possible."
Beyond missing family, the little things can also cause homesickness. Food, in particular, has been a major adjustment.
"I really miss my local fish and chip shop that my parents and I always go to. I don't love fish, but I always get sausage in batter with chips and curry sauce. Everyone thinks I'm insane…but it is actually the best thing ever," said Blackford with a laugh.
Parkins-Godwin added, "The sweets and desserts I really miss…There's a World Market here that has all the stuff that I like. I just bulk-buy everything, and if anyone wants anything, they can have it."
Playing in the U.S. has provided opportunities they wouldn't have had in England, despite the challenges of moving so far from home.
"There's loads more tournaments on offer for juniors here," said Parkins-Godwin. "There's at least two a week somewhere, whereas at home it's one a week. And it could be in Scotland. It could be in the middle of nowhere."
Purser added, "The facilities over here are so much better. There's so much space."
Blackford, a political science major, appreciates how the U.S. education system allows her to tailor her studies in ways she wouldn't have been able to in England.
"It was the only thing I ever felt really passionate about aside from tennis," she said. "I love being able to specialize my degree and pick my classes. If I graduate, which is the goal, I would be the first person in my family to earn a university degree. That's something I hope to be very proud of."
International athletes are a vital part of Michigan State women's tennis, as more than half the players on the team are not from the United States. Head coach Kim Bruno believes this dynamic strengthens the team.
"I think it really adds a lot of depth to the team because you've got to understand where people are coming from, which just helps create a fostered environment for success," Bruno said.
Beyond their talent, the British trio has brought energy, enthusiasm, and determination to the program.
"They're fun to be around. They're upbeat most of the time. They want to win, they want to better themselves, and they want to be good teammates," Bruno added.
For Blackford, Parkins-Godwin, and Purser, MSU isn't just a place to play tennis. It's become a second home.
"We really support each other," said Blackford. "When I'm feeling down, if I'm feeling sad or a bit tearful, they can relate. They have the same experiences as me."
Blackford, Parkins-Godwin, Purser and the rest of the Spartan women's team wrap up regular-season action on Saturday, May 19 at in-state rival Michigan.
Players Mentioned
Liisa Vehviläinen | The Way of Sisu | Spartans All-Access
Thursday, February 20
Kim Bruno | Women's Tennis Press Conference | Feb. 17 2025
Monday, February 17
Kim Bruno | Women's Tennis Press Conference | Jan. 28 2025
Tuesday, January 28
Spartans All-Access: Marlo Schiffman
Wednesday, April 03