The Big Ten Conference announced individual and all-conference team honors following last weekend’s Big Ten Tournament hosted by Nebraska at the Dillon Tennis Center. Decisions for all honors were voted on by Big Ten women’s tennis coaches.
Junior, Claire Reifeis was selected for the All-Big Ten Team following a standout season for the Huskers. In 2019, the Indianapolis, Ind., native had a team-best 19-6 record, including an 8-3 mark in Big Ten play. Playing out of the No. 1 and No. 2 positions, Reifeis went 10-3 and 9-3, respectively.
In doubles competition, Reifeis teamed up with fellow junior Hayley Haakenstad going 2-0 out of the No. 2 spot. After an early-season lineup change, Reifeis began playing with true freshman Jessica Aragon to form the Big Red’s winningest duo, going 13-6 at No. 2.
The second Husker honored is Hayley Haakenstad, who is recognized for the Big Ten Sportsmanship award. This honor is awarded to athletes that demonstrate sportsmanship and citizenship on and off the court. Haakenstad had an impressive season playing primarily out of the No. 6 singles spot and the No. 3 doubles position. The junior from Chanhassen Minn., went 13-10 in singles and 10-11 in doubles, primarily playing with Jeannie Lozowksi. Haakenstad has been on the Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll every semester at Nebraska and was named Academic All-Big Ten in 2018.
2019 All-Big Ten Women’s Tennis Awards
As selected by Big Ten coaches
All-Big Ten Team
ASUKA KAWAI, Illinois
MADISON APPEL, Indiana
Natalie Whalen, Indiana
Elise van Heuvelen Treadwell, Iowa
KATE FAHEY, Michigan
Brienne Minor, Michigan
Giulia Pairone, Michigan
Claire Reifeis, Nebraska
Julie Byrne, Northwestern
CLARISSA HAND, Northwestern
ISABELLE BOULAIS, Ohio State
SHIORI FUKUDA, Ohio State
SILVIA AMBROSIO, Purdue
Sara Castellano, Wisconsin
Athlete of the Year
KATE FAHEY, Michigan
Co-Freshmen of the Year
Clarissa Hand, Northwestern
Isabelle Boulais, Ohio State
Coach of the Year
Ronni Bernstein, Michigan
Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Daniela Pedraza Novak, Illinois
Michelle McKamey, Indiana
Adorabol Huckleby, Iowa
Katsiaryna Yemelyanenka, Maryland
Brienne Minor, Michigan
Samantha Memije, Michigan State
Caitlyn Merbacher, Minnesota
Hayley Haakenstad, Nebraska
Lee Or, Northwestern
Luna Dormet, Ohio State
Gabby O'Gorman, Penn State
Zala Dovnik, Purdue
Kat Muzik, Rutgers
Ava Markham, Wisconsin
UNANIMOUS SELECTION IN ALL CAPS