Northwestern University Athletics
Trio Of ‘Cats Named To CSC Women’s Tennis Academic All-District Team
5/10/2023 9:15:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Crowley, Hand, Leong honored for work in the classroom
EVANSTON, Ill. (May 10, 2023) – Three members of the Northwestern women's tennis team have been named Academic All-District selections by the College Sports Communicators (CSC), it was announced on Tuesday. Briana Crowley (Battle Ground, Ind./IMG Academy), Christina Hand (Moorestown, N.J./Laurel Springs), and Justine Leong (Hong Kong/Diocesan Girls' School/Claremont McKenna) were all recognized for their work in the classroom by the organization. The 'Cats three honorees ranked second among Big Ten institutions.
A Communications Studies major, Crowley wrapped up her time in Evanston by finishing with a 9-7 singles record in dual action. The Battle Ground, Ind. native notched a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win in a Senior Day victory over No. 68 Nebraska, before teaming up with Leong to record a 6-0 doubles triumph in the Wildcats' 4-0 win against Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament.
Hand, who also majors in Communications Studies, spent the majority of the year ranked in Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) rankings in both singles and doubles. Out of Moorestown, N.J., Hand caught fire down the stretch in the regular season, going unbeaten over her final nine singles matches with four victories. In doubles, she was part of a dominant pairing with Leong, as the duo posted an 11-1 record that included a perfect 3-0 mark in Big Ten play.
Leong finished the year 10-9 in singles play on her way to the first All-Big Ten Conference nod of her career. An Economics major, Leong recorded a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 upset of No. 100 Ashley Yeah of Illinois on March 10 to earn Big Ten Player of the Week honors. The Hong Kong product owned a 15-4 record in doubles action, racking up the aforementioned 11 wins playing alongside Hand.
To be nominated for the CSC Academic All-District Teams, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games at the position listed on the nomination form (where applicable). This honor recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
A Communications Studies major, Crowley wrapped up her time in Evanston by finishing with a 9-7 singles record in dual action. The Battle Ground, Ind. native notched a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win in a Senior Day victory over No. 68 Nebraska, before teaming up with Leong to record a 6-0 doubles triumph in the Wildcats' 4-0 win against Rutgers in the Big Ten Tournament.
Hand, who also majors in Communications Studies, spent the majority of the year ranked in Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) rankings in both singles and doubles. Out of Moorestown, N.J., Hand caught fire down the stretch in the regular season, going unbeaten over her final nine singles matches with four victories. In doubles, she was part of a dominant pairing with Leong, as the duo posted an 11-1 record that included a perfect 3-0 mark in Big Ten play.
Leong finished the year 10-9 in singles play on her way to the first All-Big Ten Conference nod of her career. An Economics major, Leong recorded a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 upset of No. 100 Ashley Yeah of Illinois on March 10 to earn Big Ten Player of the Week honors. The Hong Kong product owned a 15-4 record in doubles action, racking up the aforementioned 11 wins playing alongside Hand.
To be nominated for the CSC Academic All-District Teams, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games at the position listed on the nomination form (where applicable). This honor recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
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