Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Doubles Team Ranked No. 1 in Nation
1/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Jan. 13, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill.--Northwestern's Cristelle Grier (Surrey, England/Putney) and Jessica Rush (Dallas, Texas/The Hockaday School) today earned the distinction as the top doubles team in the nation in the first Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll of 2004.
"This is certainly a great honor for Cristelle and Jessica and for Northwestern tennis," said head coach Claire Pollard. "I am happy they received the recognition for their accomplishments, and I am sure they will prove throughout the season how talented they are together."
Grier, a sophomore, and Rush, a senior, secured a No. 1 ranking in the Midwest region after winning the ITA Midwest Region doubles title on Oct. 27. The two went on the following week to become the first Big Ten Conference pair to win the ITA National Indoor Championship.
The national title was the first for Northwestern in any sport since 1999 when golfer Luke Donald won the NCAA individual championship.
Grier also was ranked fourth in singles, while Rush came in at 36th. Northwestern, the five-time defending Big Ten champion, was ranked 14th.
NU opens its 2004 season with a home match against Eastern Michigan at noon on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Combe Tennis Center.
