May 5, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill.--Sophomore Cristelle Grier (Epsom, England/Putney) and Northwestern's women's tennis head coach Claire Pollard were named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively, the conference office announced today.
"The award says more about my players than me," said Pollard, who earns the honor for the second time in her career. "I have to give the team all the credit. They have worked so hard all year long."
Grier, who completed another perfect season in the Big Ten (10-0 regular season, 3-0 Big Ten Championship), was unanimously chosen by conference coaches and gave Northwestern its third-consecutive Player of the Year. Grier also won the award in 2003 in addition to being named Freshman of the Year.
"Although we never take anything for granted, I do feel that Cristelle is deserving of the award," said Pollard. "She earns everything she gets."
Pollard, who last won her award in 2001, is only the sixth Big Ten women's tennis head coach to be selected more than once. Her team won its sixth-straight Big Ten Championship last week in front of a home crowd.
Senior Jessica Rush (Dallas, Texas/The Hockaday School) joins Grier as a unanimous selection on the All-Big Ten team. Rush also was picked in 2002 and 2003.