Northwestern University Athletics
Meet the 'Cats: Lok Sze Leung
3/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Each week, NUSports.com will bring you an interview with a member of the Northwestern women's tennis team to allow fans a chance to get to know the individuals who make up the 16-time defending Big Ten champion Northwestern Wildcats.
EVANSTON, Ill. - This week's Meet the `Cats feature focuses on Lok Sze Leung. The second-year transfer from Middlebury College is the lone senior on this year's Wildcat team.
Leung transferred to Northwestern a season ago after two years at Division III Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt. The Hong Kong native has been a productive player for Northwestern during her time in Evanston.
"Lok Sze epitomizes everything we want in our program," head coach Claire Pollard said. "She is committed at the highest level both academically and athletically. She leads by example and she never backs down from a challenge."
Last season, Leung was a force in the singles lineup. She posted a 23-7 overall record, including a 13-4 mark in dual matches. Leung was 5-1 in the Big Ten and put together a 12-2 combined record in the fifth and sixth singles spots. She earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors on Jan. 21, 2014.
Leung has shown no signs of slowing down in her final season as a Wildcat. She is 16-9 so far in 2014-15 with a 5-3 mark in duals.
"Lok Sze's improvement is remarkable in such a short period of time," Pollard said. "She will be able to look back on her career with no regret - something every college tennis player would love to say."
Q: Describe your recruiting process and how you ended up playing at Northwestern.
A: I started out my college tennis career at Middlebury College. I really enjoyed my time there, but the one thing that was missing was the level of competition I was looking for on the tennis court. Halfway through my sophomore year I made the decision to seek other options. My desire to improve and my goal of being the best player I can possibly be was the driving force behind my decision. It is clear to me that I made a great choice in coming to Northwestern.
Q: What advice do you have for kids wanting to play tennis in college?
A: College tennis is very different from junior tennis or professional tennis. While talent and athleticism play a role, college tennis comes down to effort, dedication, time management and being a team player. If you are eager to develop your game and are enthusiastic about training and competing alongside teammates every day, then college tennis is for you.
Q: Describe a humbling experience in your life.
A: Playing in the first round of the ITA Regional Tournament when I first got here in the fall of 2013 was a very humbling experience. I was in a back and forth match, and I did not play particularly well. That was the moment I realized I had gone from being the big fish in a small pond to a small fish in the ocean. That was when I comprehended how much work was required of me to get where I want to be.
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?
A: I cannot really pinpoint a particular accomplishment, but I would say the breakthroughs I have made in my game in the past couple of years are achievements. From my time at Middlebury to here at Northwestern, I have never loved the sport more. I think I can honestly say that I have given my best in being as committed to tennis as I can be.
Q: What is the best book you have ever read?
A: Definitely the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It is an absolute classic and a work of art. The way Tolkien portrays human nature and emotion is gripping and powerful. The world of the Middle-Earth simply enthralls me.
Q: Describe your pregame ritual.
A: I am a meticulous person. When I get up in the morning, the first thing I do is stretch my lower back. Before our team warm-up I do my leg stretches, hydrate and meditate for a couple minutes.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
A: Despite being an avid fan of Roger Federer, I have always admired Rafael Nadal. His work ethic, tenacity, intensity, discipline and competitiveness are what make him the best.
