Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from
University of Southern California where she majored in theatre and political science earning a
full-ride tennis scholarship and held All-American honors. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta
sorority house. Turned pro after graduation and was ranked among the
top105 women in the world in tennis, playing at the French Open and
Virginia Slims Tour. It was a USC drama professor who urged Quinlan to
quit the tour and become a professional actress.