Born December 1, 1966, to a physicist, Tell grew up in Aberdeen Township, New Jersey and attended Matawan Regional High School.

She was a main draw qualifier for the 1985 French Open, losing in the first round to Katerina Maleeva.

[3] Tell played an unusual match against Steffi Graf at the 1984 North American Open in Livingston, where after getting to match point against the West German decided to forfeit, as she wouldn't have been able to play on in the tournament due to a clash with the U.S. Clay Court Championships.

The clay court event in Indianapolis was more beneficial in terms of ranking points (she fell in qualifying).

[3] Tell won a gold medal in doubles, playing with Ronni Reis, at the 1985 Maccabiah Games in Israel.