September 23, 2004

Grier ranked No. 1 in nation

Wildcat tennis player Cristelle Grier, a Weinberg College junior, has been named No. 1 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) in its preseason rankings.

Grier is the first Northwest-ern player as well as the first Big Ten player to receive the honor.

Last year, Grier compiled a 40-5 singles record, setting a school mark for wins in a season. Grier, an All-America selection last year, advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championships. She was the unanimous choice for Big Ten Player of the Year.

Grier, along with teammate Alexis Prousis, also earned the No. 9 preseason doubles rank.

The doubles team of Feriel Esseghir and Audra Cohen is ranked No. 46.