University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Rachel Hanford Named Unanimous All-B1G Team; Zhang Earns Sportsmanship Award Honor
5/3/2021 3:20:00 PM | Tennis
Hanford led the Gophers with 12 singles victories and 10 doubles victories
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Minnesota freshman Rachel Hanford was named to the All-B1G Team by unanimous decision on Monday afternoon when the Big Ten announced their all-conference award winners. Senior co-captain Juliet Zhang was named one of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winners.
The selection will be Hanford's first all-conference team honor, as the freshman led Minnesota at the top of the lineup with a 12-8 singles record and a 10-10 doubles record. Hanford went 8-5 in the No. 1 singles slot with victories over fellow All-B1G team members Ayana Akli (Maryland), Gabby O'Gorman (Penn State) and Ava Markham (Wisconsin) twice.
This is the second consecutive season that the Maroon & Gold has been represented on the All-B1G team with Dalila Said receiving the honors last season.
Juliet Zhang earned her first B1G Sportsmanship Award, as the senior posted a 10-10 singles record and a 8-9 doubles record.
"We are extremely proud of Rachel and Juliet and the way they have represented our program and the University of Minnesota," said head coach Catrina Thompson.
"Rachel has been putting in the work and continues to impress us at the top of the lineup every week. We are looking forward to seeing everything she will accomplish and this is just the first of many accolades to come in her young career," Thompson said. "Juliet has consistently worked hard all season and always puts her teammates first. Every day she represents our program in a positive manner both on and off the court. They are both very deserving of these Big Ten awards."
The selection will be Hanford's first all-conference team honor, as the freshman led Minnesota at the top of the lineup with a 12-8 singles record and a 10-10 doubles record. Hanford went 8-5 in the No. 1 singles slot with victories over fellow All-B1G team members Ayana Akli (Maryland), Gabby O'Gorman (Penn State) and Ava Markham (Wisconsin) twice.
This is the second consecutive season that the Maroon & Gold has been represented on the All-B1G team with Dalila Said receiving the honors last season.
Juliet Zhang earned her first B1G Sportsmanship Award, as the senior posted a 10-10 singles record and a 8-9 doubles record.
"We are extremely proud of Rachel and Juliet and the way they have represented our program and the University of Minnesota," said head coach Catrina Thompson.
"Rachel has been putting in the work and continues to impress us at the top of the lineup every week. We are looking forward to seeing everything she will accomplish and this is just the first of many accolades to come in her young career," Thompson said. "Juliet has consistently worked hard all season and always puts her teammates first. Every day she represents our program in a positive manner both on and off the court. They are both very deserving of these Big Ten awards."
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