Photo by: Derek Johnson
Griz tennis senior feature: Alex Walker
4/6/2022 12:19:00 PM | Women's Tennis
MISSOULA, Mont. – As senior day approaches, it was only appropriate to sit down with the seniors of the Montana women's tennis team and hear them reminisce on their experience as a Griz. The first senior to talk about her time at Montana is North Vancouver, B.C. native, Alex Walker.
Walker describes her experience at UM with one word: amazing.
"I came to Montana as a 17-year-old and I was pretty nervous coming into a new place. But, everyone in the community and within the school has been so friendly. The team, I mean, they're all my best friends, we're all like sisters. Steve is great, he's always so supportive and so kind. With all of that, everything has been really great," said Walker.
When you're playing a sport like tennis, it can be easy to focus on yourself and your performance, especially as you get wrapped into season. It's different with Griz tennis and Walker, though. When asked her favorite experience as a Griz, she had nothing but things to say about the teammates she's with day in and day out.
"My favorite part is how close the team is and how we're just really close knit. Everyone is friends with everyone. We all just get along really well."
Not only have her teammates made this experience one to remember, but Steve Ascher and the staff at the university have helped her grow tremendously.
"Steve really emphasizes self-growth, so through my four years we would do a lot of work on ourselves as well as tennis. For the school aspect, I always knew I wanted to go into psychology and be a therapist; the classes and professors were all amazing and just reiterated what I want to do in the future.
"Every staff member I've encountered has been so supportive, kind and they're willing to work with you. I feel like they look at you and treat you like equals."
Through the experience Walker has had at UM, she explains what it means to be a Griz.
"Family, connectedness, being tough, resilient," were all words that came to mind to the senior.
So, what's next for the senior?
"Right now, I'm probably going to move to California and do some more tennis coaching first and get some more experience in the psych field before applying for my master's in clinical mental health counseling. With that, I eventually want to be a therapist. I really have a passion for helping people, so I'm really looking forward to pursuing that."
As Alex closes this chapter, she has a few words of gratitude she'd like to say.
"Thank you to my coach, Steve Ascher, my teammates, my professors and all of the trainers that have worked with me over the last four years. I have had so many amazing experiences at the University of Montana that I will cherish for life.
"Over the last four years, I have grown personally through friendships and opportunities provided by the university and my team. I am so grateful for all of the continuous support I receive from my coach and teammates. I found a second family during my time in Missoula, and I am going to miss it so much."
Walker describes her experience at UM with one word: amazing.
"I came to Montana as a 17-year-old and I was pretty nervous coming into a new place. But, everyone in the community and within the school has been so friendly. The team, I mean, they're all my best friends, we're all like sisters. Steve is great, he's always so supportive and so kind. With all of that, everything has been really great," said Walker.
When you're playing a sport like tennis, it can be easy to focus on yourself and your performance, especially as you get wrapped into season. It's different with Griz tennis and Walker, though. When asked her favorite experience as a Griz, she had nothing but things to say about the teammates she's with day in and day out.
"My favorite part is how close the team is and how we're just really close knit. Everyone is friends with everyone. We all just get along really well."
Not only have her teammates made this experience one to remember, but Steve Ascher and the staff at the university have helped her grow tremendously.
"Steve really emphasizes self-growth, so through my four years we would do a lot of work on ourselves as well as tennis. For the school aspect, I always knew I wanted to go into psychology and be a therapist; the classes and professors were all amazing and just reiterated what I want to do in the future.
"Every staff member I've encountered has been so supportive, kind and they're willing to work with you. I feel like they look at you and treat you like equals."
Through the experience Walker has had at UM, she explains what it means to be a Griz.
"Family, connectedness, being tough, resilient," were all words that came to mind to the senior.
So, what's next for the senior?
"Right now, I'm probably going to move to California and do some more tennis coaching first and get some more experience in the psych field before applying for my master's in clinical mental health counseling. With that, I eventually want to be a therapist. I really have a passion for helping people, so I'm really looking forward to pursuing that."
As Alex closes this chapter, she has a few words of gratitude she'd like to say.
"Thank you to my coach, Steve Ascher, my teammates, my professors and all of the trainers that have worked with me over the last four years. I have had so many amazing experiences at the University of Montana that I will cherish for life.
"Over the last four years, I have grown personally through friendships and opportunities provided by the university and my team. I am so grateful for all of the continuous support I receive from my coach and teammates. I found a second family during my time in Missoula, and I am going to miss it so much."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
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