University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
/ Tennis
Senior Send-Off: Cammy Frei
5/27/2020 2:30:00 PM | Tennis
Cammy Frei arrived on campus in 2016 as a freshman, excited for where the University of Minnesota women's tennis program was going to bring her. Playing for the Gophers gave her the experience of a lifetime. In her four years she accumulated 119 wins, which set her up to be a consistent member on the lineup during the 2019-20 season. Now, four years later, things didn't pan out the way Frei ever expected. Although her senior season was cut short, Frei left a mark on the courts of Baseline that will be there forever.
Gopher Sports: You and the Gophers had a very successful season this past year. Throughout all of it, was there a moment that is your favorite?
Cammy Frei: There have been many great memories this past year, but the one that stood out the most was the Wisconsin match. Coming in we knew it was going to be a battle and we would need to play some solid tennis to beat them. Coming out on top of a 4-3 match at home and over a ranked opponent is a great feeling. While it is unfortunate it was our last match of the season it was a great match to end on.
GS: At the beginning of the year, head coach Catrina Thompson surprised you with a scholarship for your senior year. How rewarding did that feel to have received it?
CF: It was very rewarding to receive a scholarship my senior year! Looking back to my freshman year I came in as a walk-on and wasn't sure what my athletic career would entail. Being able to walk away with a scholarship at the end of the four years is something I'm incredibly proud of. I'm appreciative of the time and dedication of the coaches and the fact they were able to bring out my best tennis.
GS: The team ended the year with a huge win over Wisconsin, a No. 41 ranking in the ITA and first place in the Big Ten. How rewarding did it feel to have accomplished so much?
CF: Accomplishing this much definitely felt great. Since freshman year the team has continued to improve and put in the necessary work. Seeing all our work pay off just encourages us to continue to work hard and set higher goals for next year.
GS: The Wisconsin match was huge for you. How did it feel when you were selected for Big Ten Player of the Week?
CF: The Big Ten is a strong conference with a lot of quality players so I was excited to have been selected! I feel like the team was on a great trajectory and I was hoping it would add to the momentum we had built going into the remaining Big Ten season.
GS: What were some of the goals you had? What were some of the goals the team had? How close were you to accomplishing them?
CF: The main goal we had as a team was qualifying for NCAAs. While we will never know if we would have made the tournament, I would like to think this would have been the year. In terms of individual goals, I wanted to do everything I could to ensure I was putting the team in the best position to win.
GS: Is there any advice you have to give to the younger players that will follow in your footsteps?
CF: Don't take anything for granted. Minnesota is such an incredible university and has so much to offer athletically and academically. While it is easy to become accustomed to the fabulous facilities, we are lucky to be able to practice and compete at Baseline every day. Treat every practice and match like it is your last and at the end of your four years you will have so many great things to look back on.
GS: What impact has the Gopher women's tennis program had on you?
CF: Gopher women's tennis has impacted me in so many ways both as an athlete and as a person. Throughout my time here I have grown as a player and accomplished some things I would have never imagined. I have met so many influential people who have taught me each and every day is an opportunity for growth and improvement. While some days are harder than others, pushing yourself will only make the victory that much sweeter. These four years have shaped me into the person I am today and have prepared me for life outside of college athletics.
GS: What is your next step after you graduate?
CF: I have accepted a two-year rotational program with ABB. This is an operations focused program and consists of three 8-month rotations throughout the United States. My first rotation will be in Milwaukee so I will definitely be visiting Minnesota this fall.
GS: Is there anything you have learned about yourself and your team during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
CF: During this pandemic everyone has been impacted. While it was disappointing to have our season cut short, we have to remind ourselves that this is bigger than sports. We have been creative in finding ways to stay active and keep in touch so when we are able to come back we will be ready
Gopher Sports: You and the Gophers had a very successful season this past year. Throughout all of it, was there a moment that is your favorite?
Cammy Frei: There have been many great memories this past year, but the one that stood out the most was the Wisconsin match. Coming in we knew it was going to be a battle and we would need to play some solid tennis to beat them. Coming out on top of a 4-3 match at home and over a ranked opponent is a great feeling. While it is unfortunate it was our last match of the season it was a great match to end on.
GS: At the beginning of the year, head coach Catrina Thompson surprised you with a scholarship for your senior year. How rewarding did that feel to have received it?
CF: It was very rewarding to receive a scholarship my senior year! Looking back to my freshman year I came in as a walk-on and wasn't sure what my athletic career would entail. Being able to walk away with a scholarship at the end of the four years is something I'm incredibly proud of. I'm appreciative of the time and dedication of the coaches and the fact they were able to bring out my best tennis.
GS: The team ended the year with a huge win over Wisconsin, a No. 41 ranking in the ITA and first place in the Big Ten. How rewarding did it feel to have accomplished so much?
CF: Accomplishing this much definitely felt great. Since freshman year the team has continued to improve and put in the necessary work. Seeing all our work pay off just encourages us to continue to work hard and set higher goals for next year.
GS: The Wisconsin match was huge for you. How did it feel when you were selected for Big Ten Player of the Week?
CF: The Big Ten is a strong conference with a lot of quality players so I was excited to have been selected! I feel like the team was on a great trajectory and I was hoping it would add to the momentum we had built going into the remaining Big Ten season.
GS: What were some of the goals you had? What were some of the goals the team had? How close were you to accomplishing them?
CF: The main goal we had as a team was qualifying for NCAAs. While we will never know if we would have made the tournament, I would like to think this would have been the year. In terms of individual goals, I wanted to do everything I could to ensure I was putting the team in the best position to win.
GS: Is there any advice you have to give to the younger players that will follow in your footsteps?
CF: Don't take anything for granted. Minnesota is such an incredible university and has so much to offer athletically and academically. While it is easy to become accustomed to the fabulous facilities, we are lucky to be able to practice and compete at Baseline every day. Treat every practice and match like it is your last and at the end of your four years you will have so many great things to look back on.
GS: What impact has the Gopher women's tennis program had on you?
CF: Gopher women's tennis has impacted me in so many ways both as an athlete and as a person. Throughout my time here I have grown as a player and accomplished some things I would have never imagined. I have met so many influential people who have taught me each and every day is an opportunity for growth and improvement. While some days are harder than others, pushing yourself will only make the victory that much sweeter. These four years have shaped me into the person I am today and have prepared me for life outside of college athletics.
GS: What is your next step after you graduate?
CF: I have accepted a two-year rotational program with ABB. This is an operations focused program and consists of three 8-month rotations throughout the United States. My first rotation will be in Milwaukee so I will definitely be visiting Minnesota this fall.
GS: Is there anything you have learned about yourself and your team during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
CF: During this pandemic everyone has been impacted. While it was disappointing to have our season cut short, we have to remind ourselves that this is bigger than sports. We have been creative in finding ways to stay active and keep in touch so when we are able to come back we will be ready
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