Photo by: Derek Johnson
Haugen Ranks Top-20 in ITA Mountain Region Rankings
7/1/2022 12:39:00 PM | Women's Tennis
MISSOULA, Mont. – Montana freshman Grace Haugen earned a spot on the ITA's Top-20 Mountain Region Singles Rankings after finishing her first singles season with the Griz 8-7 overall and 3-2 in conference.
Though Haugen missed a portion of the season due to injury, she continued to fight and prove she was a top player in the conference, which led her to securing a spot on the All-Big Sky First Team. As a freshman, these accolades are huge.
When asked about the accomplishment, Haugen couldn't stop expressing her excitement.
"I was super excited when Steve (Ascher) texted me the news because I wasn't really expecting anything in my freshman year. I was super excited to see that my matches were able to get me in the rankings this year," said Haugen.
As a freshman, it's not easy to be thrown into Division I play, let alone earn a few accolades, but Haugen believes her mental game is what got her through her first season as a collegiate athlete.
"I've always had a super competitive personality," Haugen said. "I also had to push through a lot of stuff, especially with some injuries, so the matches I did play I wanted to win. When I came back from my injury I told myself I wasn't going to lose another match.
"It's a lot of mental competitiveness. It helps me a lot."
With experience and recognition, she goes into her second year as a Griz with plenty of motivation.
"I'm super excited and really motivated to try to do even better than I did this year," the Canadian said. "I feel like my freshman nerves are gone. I think I'll have more confidence going into the fall season especially, as well as spring season with the new team members."
Haugen and the team will continue to train over the summer, getting prepared for their 2022-23 season.
Though Haugen missed a portion of the season due to injury, she continued to fight and prove she was a top player in the conference, which led her to securing a spot on the All-Big Sky First Team. As a freshman, these accolades are huge.
When asked about the accomplishment, Haugen couldn't stop expressing her excitement.
"I was super excited when Steve (Ascher) texted me the news because I wasn't really expecting anything in my freshman year. I was super excited to see that my matches were able to get me in the rankings this year," said Haugen.
As a freshman, it's not easy to be thrown into Division I play, let alone earn a few accolades, but Haugen believes her mental game is what got her through her first season as a collegiate athlete.
"I've always had a super competitive personality," Haugen said. "I also had to push through a lot of stuff, especially with some injuries, so the matches I did play I wanted to win. When I came back from my injury I told myself I wasn't going to lose another match.
"It's a lot of mental competitiveness. It helps me a lot."
With experience and recognition, she goes into her second year as a Griz with plenty of motivation.
"I'm super excited and really motivated to try to do even better than I did this year," the Canadian said. "I feel like my freshman nerves are gone. I think I'll have more confidence going into the fall season especially, as well as spring season with the new team members."
Haugen and the team will continue to train over the summer, getting prepared for their 2022-23 season.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
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