EVANSTON, Ill. -- First year Clarissa Hand was named Big Ten Athlete of the Week on Tuesday. This is the second time this season Hand has earned the recognition from the conference. She is the first rookie since 2006 to earn this nod twice in one season.
Hand was perfect last weekend against opponents Baylor and Georgia Tech, winning a pair of doubles matches with teammate Lee Or and a pair of ranked singles victories at the No. 1 position. The rookie did not drop a singles set beating out No. 26 Kenya Jones of Georgia Tech, 7-6, 6-4, and Baylor's No. 70 Livia Kraus, 7-5, 6-1.
Hand currently sits at No. 59 nationally and is the highest ranked in singles player on the team. The rookie is 4-1 in singles play against nationally-ranked opponents. She currently has a three-match wining streak in the No. 1 singles position.
Hand has continued to improve since her Jan. 15 Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Week award. She has moved up 41 spots nationally and has recorded five singles and six doubles victories. Hand is the only NU player to receive this award this season.
The Wildcats will return home on Friday to host the Iowa Hawks at 5 p.m. CT.
Hand was perfect last weekend against opponents Baylor and Georgia Tech, winning a pair of doubles matches with teammate Lee Or and a pair of ranked singles victories at the No. 1 position. The rookie did not drop a singles set beating out No. 26 Kenya Jones of Georgia Tech, 7-6, 6-4, and Baylor's No. 70 Livia Kraus, 7-5, 6-1.
Hand currently sits at No. 59 nationally and is the highest ranked in singles player on the team. The rookie is 4-1 in singles play against nationally-ranked opponents. She currently has a three-match wining streak in the No. 1 singles position.
Hand has continued to improve since her Jan. 15 Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Week award. She has moved up 41 spots nationally and has recorded five singles and six doubles victories. Hand is the only NU player to receive this award this season.
The Wildcats will return home on Friday to host the Iowa Hawks at 5 p.m. CT.