For Northwestern’s spring athletes, personal accolades keep coming in.
Men’s golfer Luke Donald and softball third baseman Brooke Siebel received the most prestigious confrerence award — the Big Ten Player of the Year — this month.
And perhaps, women’s tennis senior Katherine Nasser should’ve been another.
Nasser, who notched a 31-16 overall record at No. 1 singles, led the Wildcats to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and second consecutive Big Ten championship.
“She’s well respected by a lot of coaches and players,” junior Colleen Cheng said. “I think she was a good candidate — I wouldn’t say she should’ve gotten it.”
Despite missing out on this year’s Player of the Year award, Nasser became the first NU player to earn All-Big Ten honors for four straight seasons — including a Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year her sophomore season.
Judging from the two seasons that she’s been at NU, coach Claire Pollard knows Nasser is the most talented to compete at the No. 1 position; both in singles and doubles.
As the first NU player to accomplish such consistent feats, does that mean Nasser’s the best-ever at NU?
“Ten years down the road, I think I’ll have a clearer picture,” Pollard said. “But I think it’s safe to say she’s one of best all-time Northwestern players.”
Eyeing through the team’s media guide, Nasser has her fingerprints everywhere.
Aside from the four All-Big Ten awards, Nasser became the first at NU to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year and win the ITA Rolex Midwest regionals in the fall.
“She’s a perfectionist. She wants to get better and better,” Pollard said.
But what distinguishes Nasser from the others is her humble personality.
Whether she won or not, Nasser would quickly turn to cheer her teammates. Meanwhile, some throw rackets and others vocalize their anger.
But Nasser keeps the temper — and everything else — inside.
“She’s a tough one to read,” Pollard said. “But when anyone asks me about her, I always say she’s the nicest best player I’ve ever met.”
Added Nasser: “I’m definitely a little quiet. I think it’s a little difficult to coach me.”
As successful as her NU career seems, Nasser did have her share of the struggles.
After starting her first two years as well as any athlete could, Nasser set herself with high standards. Her third fall at NU wasn’t the most pleasant, though, as she suffered through mononucelosis.
And the effects seemed to last into the spring season. It was Nasser’s first losing season at NU.
But sometimes the best athlete stories come from those who have seen the best of both worlds.
Nasser’s seen both, but the best may be yet to come.
With NU’s loss to Stanford Thursday at the NCAA Sweet 16s, Nasser said farewell to one half of her collegiate tennis career.
But Nasser still has the NCAA individual tournaments left, and she has listed herself in both.
Two wins in either bracket and Nasser will put herself in the All-American category.
“She has a lot more confidence than last year,” said Cheng, Nasser’s No. 1 doubles partner. “She deserves another shot (at the NCAAs).”
But with her modest personality, Nasser reflected on her four years of success at NU.
“I had a good experience — no, a great one.” Nasser said. “I had a really good experience.
“I couldn’t have asked for more.”Pretty sure NU couldn’t ask much more either.
