Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Phanthala Named Big Ten Women's Tennis Freshman of the Week
10/15/2025 2:35:00 PM | Women's Tennis
EVANSTON, Ill. - After taking down the No. 10 singles player in the country over the weekend, Northwestern first-year Margot Phanthala has been named the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week for women's tennis, the conference announced on Wednesday.
Phanthala, who joined the 'Cats out of Paris, France, made her collegiate debut at the Wolverine Invite in Ann Arbor, Mich., this weekend, competing in both singles and doubles action. She racked up three total victories over the three-day tournament - two in singles play and one in doubles.
Most notable was Phanthala's victory over Michigan's Piper Charney, who was tabbed as the ITA's No. 10 singles player in the country in the preseason rankings. On Saturday, Phanthala defeated Charney in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, for the first ranked victory of her career in her very first weekend of collegiate competition.
One of two first-years on head coach Claire Pollard's roster, Phanthala is the first Wildcat to earn Freshman of the Week honors since Erica Jessel on February 19, 2025.
Phanthala and the 'Cats will return to action this weekend at the ITA Midwest Regional in Champaign, Ill. Play at the tournament begins on Thursday with qualifying and extends through Tuesday's championship matches.
Phanthala, who joined the 'Cats out of Paris, France, made her collegiate debut at the Wolverine Invite in Ann Arbor, Mich., this weekend, competing in both singles and doubles action. She racked up three total victories over the three-day tournament - two in singles play and one in doubles.
Most notable was Phanthala's victory over Michigan's Piper Charney, who was tabbed as the ITA's No. 10 singles player in the country in the preseason rankings. On Saturday, Phanthala defeated Charney in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, for the first ranked victory of her career in her very first weekend of collegiate competition.
One of two first-years on head coach Claire Pollard's roster, Phanthala is the first Wildcat to earn Freshman of the Week honors since Erica Jessel on February 19, 2025.
Phanthala and the 'Cats will return to action this weekend at the ITA Midwest Regional in Champaign, Ill. Play at the tournament begins on Thursday with qualifying and extends through Tuesday's championship matches.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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