Kate Fakih
Photo by: Hritika Chaturvedi
Fakih Voted Big Ten Freshman of the Week for Fifth Time
April 16, 2025 | Women's Tennis
ROSEMONT, Ill. โ Kate Fakih of the UCLA women's tennis team was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the fifth time this season on Wednesday, the conference announced. No other Big Ten player has won more than two.
Fakih, who also collected a pair of Player of the Week honors from the league during the fall, is coming off a week in which she logged a 2-0 singles record and a 1-0 doubles showing to help the Bruins earn a road sweep of Nebraska (April 13) and Iowa (April 11).
Fakih clinched a 4-0 win against Nebraska, beating Tiziana Rossini 6-0, 7-5 on Court 4. Fakih has now delivered the fourth point in three of her team's past four matches. She also partnered with Olivia Center to overcome a 3-5 deficit versus Reya Lee Coe/Emma Rizzetto of Nebraska to prevail 7-5 in the deciding doubles match on Court 2.
While her first doubles contest of the week was abandoned, Fakih made quick work of Iowa's Barbara Pokorna in a 6-1, 6-2 result that extended UCLA's lead to 2-0. The Bruins would outlast the Hawkeyes in a 4-2 decision.
Fakih has now picked up back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards. Prior to her most recent pair, she won on March 5, Feb. 12 and Jan. 29. Fakih was voted Big Ten Player of the Week on Oct. 23, 2024 and Sept. 25, 2024. Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer has won the Player of the Week award twice this year, while Elise Wagle has been selected once.
2025 BIG TEN WOMEN'S TENNIS FRESHMEN OF THE WEEK
Fakih, who also collected a pair of Player of the Week honors from the league during the fall, is coming off a week in which she logged a 2-0 singles record and a 1-0 doubles showing to help the Bruins earn a road sweep of Nebraska (April 13) and Iowa (April 11).
Fakih clinched a 4-0 win against Nebraska, beating Tiziana Rossini 6-0, 7-5 on Court 4. Fakih has now delivered the fourth point in three of her team's past four matches. She also partnered with Olivia Center to overcome a 3-5 deficit versus Reya Lee Coe/Emma Rizzetto of Nebraska to prevail 7-5 in the deciding doubles match on Court 2.
While her first doubles contest of the week was abandoned, Fakih made quick work of Iowa's Barbara Pokorna in a 6-1, 6-2 result that extended UCLA's lead to 2-0. The Bruins would outlast the Hawkeyes in a 4-2 decision.
Fakih has now picked up back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards. Prior to her most recent pair, she won on March 5, Feb. 12 and Jan. 29. Fakih was voted Big Ten Player of the Week on Oct. 23, 2024 and Sept. 25, 2024. Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer has won the Player of the Week award twice this year, while Elise Wagle has been selected once.
2025 BIG TEN WOMEN'S TENNIS FRESHMEN OF THE WEEK
| Week | Player |
| Jan. 15 | Emily Sartz-Lunde, Michigan |
| Jan. 22 | Patsy Daughters, Oregon |
| Jan. 29 | Kate Fakih, UCLA |
| Feb. 5 | Jessica Bernales, Michigan |
| Feb. 12 | Kate Fakih, UCLA |
| Feb. 19 | Erica Jessel, Northwestern |
| Feb. 26 | Carina Syrtveit, Washingtonย |
| March 5 | Kate Fakih, UCLA |
| March 12 | Jana Hossam, USC |
| March 19 | Emily Sartz-Lunde, Michigan |
| March 26 | Emily Sartz-Lunde, Michigan |
| April 2 | Patricia Grigoras, Penn State |
| April 9 | Kate Fakih, UCLA |
| April 16 | Kate Fakih, UCLA |
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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