Northwestern University Athletics
Cristelle Grier Honored by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association
5/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
May 19, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Freshman Cristelle Grier who was named Big Ten Freshman and Player of the Year--the first player to win both awards since 1990--collected three more honors as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced its regional and national awards today.
Grier was named the ITA National Player to Watch. She was unbeaten in dual matches, going 25-0 and is currently ranked ninth in the nation. The award goes to a highly ranked non-senior player who has had an outstanding season, has not yet won an ITA national singles title, but is expected to contend for one in the future.
In addition to the national award, Grier received two regional honors--Midwest Region Rookie Player of the Year and Player to Watch.
Head coach Claire Pollard was named the Wilson/ITA Midwest Region Coach of the Year. This is Pollard's second such honor, receiving it in 2001.
Pollard led the Wildcats to their fifth straight Big Ten title and 14th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance this season. Under her tutelage, the Wildcats have compiled a 107-30 record in five years and lost just five Big Ten matches. This season, the women's tennis team finished second in the regular-season with a 8-2 record behind Minnesota, but swept through the Big Ten Championship for a fifth title.
