Growing up in Kirkland, Wash., Amina and Lamija Advic followed parallel paths from high school to the Division I level, bringing both talent and a unique sibling dynamic to the Seattle University Women’s Tennis team. 

Lamija, now in her third year majoring in Business Economics, has built an impressive list of accomplishments since her freshman season, earning multiple conference honors, including Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Player of the Year in 2025 and WAC Freshman of the Year in 2024, establishing herself as one of Seattle U’s most accomplished players. 

Amina, a first-year standout and former WIAA state champion, has quickly adjusted to the collegiate level in her debut season.

The following is an excerpt from a Feb. 26 interview. Initials indicate the speaker. 

MD: When did you get into tennis, and what got you into the sport? 

LA: I would say we both started when we were around six. All of our cousins and siblings played tennis, so that is what got us into it. 

AA: Our grandpa came up with the idea that everyone should play tennis, because nobody knew what sport to do. It was kind of a domino effect, and everyone just started playing tennis. 

MD: What brought you to Seattle U? Amina, was the fact that your sister was already a student here a factor in your decision, or was it a choice you made independently? 

AA: Well, I think it definitely played a big factor. I knew I wanted to be with my sister. I am also interested in law as well, and Seattle U has a very good law school. I also wanted to be close to home, so it checked all my boxes. 

LA: Similar reasons for me as well. It’s close to home, and I really liked the coach, Christina and the tennis program. 

MD: Lamija, how did it feel when you found out you’d be playing at the Division 1 level alongside your sister? Amina, how did it feel to compete alongside your sister? 

LA: It was really cool, and I was so excited for her because I had two worlds: my family and sister, and then my tennis and school life. Now it is all mixed together, which I like. 

AA: With her being older, I always would go to watch her tournaments. I always wanted to be a part of that. It is really sweet that the two worlds are colliding. 

MD: Has your relationship changed now that you are teammates as well as sisters? 

AA: There are moments where we get a little frustrated with each other, because someone else’s plan might be different than the other. But I think we have gotten more organized now because we have to be. 

MD: Are there moments on the court or during a game where your sibling connection shows? 

LA: I think for me, especially watching Amina, I am always super nervous. I’m like a parent on the court. When we are playing, I would say I think of her, but I am so focused on the tennis that I take her just as a teammate in that moment.

AA: Even when we are playing and competing, I will look over at her score, and I will be like, “You got this Lamija!” and cheer for her internally. 

MD: How did having cousins who played Division I tennis for UW shape your mindset or goals? 

LA: Especially with my cousin, who still plays there and is in the same year as me, we were always hand-in-hand, competing, training and playing doubles together. We have our own separate lives, but then we come back together and share these similar experiences. I feel really lucky to have them. Every time people hear about it, they’re like “Whoa, there are so many of you!” 

MD: What are some differences in your playing styles or mental approaches when it comes to matches? 

LA: I think that Amina is more calm than me. She is more composed and she doesn’t get in her head as much as I do. I think that comes with my fiery side, but it can backfire sometimes. 

AA: We are both really aggressive. We’re really hard hitters. We like to finish with a winner, or just be aggressive from the start. 

MD: What are your individual goals for the rest of the year? 

LA: I would like to be a WCC Player of the Year, since I did it in the WAC. Going into a new conference [it] would be cool. 

AA: I’d like to be Freshman of the Year here. I think pushing myself more because I am only a first-year. Overall, enjoying this year and enjoying the competition. 

MD: What goals are you still chasing that you haven’t checked off yet?

AA: Getting into law school. In the back of my head, I always have had this passion of going pro in tennis. I am still working on checking those two off. 

LA: I would like to go pro after college. Obviously, I am trying to finish school first, because I think that is more important, but that is my dream goal.