WHITEWATER, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s tennis team won its 18th consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title this year.
The Warhawks overcame the loss of their top tennis player, Cassie Lee, to an ACL injury earlier in the year.
Junior singles and doubles player, Gracie Ha, said it affected her personally because Lee was her roommate and doubles partner.
Ha said she knew she had to step up and be a rock for the team.
“I knew that as a captain I couldn't be down, I couldn't show my emotions to everyone,” said Ha. “I just took time to really show this team that we could do it even though we had a stump in the season.”
Ha would go on to win the number one singles title and partner with freshman, Abigail Weaver, for the number one doubles crown. Ha was also named the
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Year.
She said her motto for the rest of her tennis career is “playing for an audience of one.”
“I am a faith believer, and I just told myself throughout the whole tournament that as much as it was for the team and for this school. I was playing for an audience of one and it's to glorify God,” said Ha. “I just kept telling myself to fight…It's mainly that I was giving it all for the glory to God.”
Weaver was named the WIAC Newcomer of the Year. She said she did not expect to have such a big role as a freshman, but Ha helped her be prepared.
“Gracie definitely stepped up as a captain for us and it just showed on the court and off the court,” said Weaver. “She was always like motivating our team, she gave our team talks. She always like lifted us up and just kind of reminded us that like we're playing for Cassie and we're playing for each other.”
Ha and the team hope to compete for a national title when their season resumes in the spring of 2025. Ha said the adversity she faced this year, made her a stronger player and better leader.
“I was just super proud of myself. Just for all the hard work that I've put in this past season,” said Ha. “It definitely showed at the conference tournament and throughout this whole season.”