Northwestern University Athletics
Grier Earns No. 1 Preseason National Ranking
9/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Sept. 13, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released its preseason rankings Sept. 10 and NU's Cristelle Grier (Surrey, England/Putney) has been named the No. 1 player in the nation. Not only was Grier's No. 1 ranking the first such honor for an NU tennis player, but it was also the first time any Big Ten player has earned the top spot.
Grier's No. 1 ranking can be added to an already impressive resume after just two years competing for the Wildcat program. Last year, she compiled a 40-5 singles record, setting a school mark for wins in a season. That record included a 27-2 mark in duals and a 13-0 run in the Big Ten. Grier also earned All-America honors for the second-straight year by advancing to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Singles Championships, as well as being the unanimous choice for Big Ten Player of the Year. She is the sixth conference player to be twice honored.
In the preseason doubles rankings released by the ITA, Grier earned another top-10 ranking by coming in at No. 9 with teammate Alexis Prousis.
Other NU players honored by the ITA included Feriel Esseghir and Audra Cohen, who earned a No. 46 doubles ranking.
