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Whitney Hekking To Return For Additional Season
5/26/2020 1:30 PM | Women's Tennis
Ute senior announces return to the program after senior year was cut short.
SALT LAKE CITY – Whitney Hekking, the sole senior on this season's Utah women's tennis team, has announced her return for another season in Salt Lake City. Already a graduate from the University of Utah with degrees in Sociology and Human Development & Family Studies, Hekking will pursue a master's degree while returning to the court for the rising women's tennis program.
"The greatest pain in life is the pain of regret," said Hekking on her decision to return another year. "I was not willing to move on knowing I could have done something more! I am returning another season because I feel our team and I have unfinished business from last season!"
"One of the hardest things from this past season was not being able to see Whit finish her senior year," said head coach Ric Mortera. "To say we are excited to have her back would be an understatement. She took such a great leap in not only her game, but more importantly in her leadership this past season. We are greatly looking forward to the continued positive impact she is going to have on this team and program."
With Hekking announcing her return, the Utah women's tennis team will return all members of this year's current team, which includes keeping their top duo of Hekking and Madison Tattini intact. Hekking and Tattini finished the shortened season ranked No. 12 in the nation in doubles with a 12-1 record.
The Kaysville, Utah native was named the ITA Mountain Region's Most Improved Senior after playing in the No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles positions this year and having continual improvement throughout her career. Highlighting this past spring season, Hekking and Tattini notched 12-straight doubles wins to begin the season. The duo knocked off the nation's No. 3-ranked doubles team from No. 12 UCF early on in the season and also picked up notable wins against top duos from Minnesota, Ole Miss and No. 33 Denver to reach the ranking of No. 12 in the NCAA.
Including fall play, Hekking and Tattini went 20-3 overall. The pair of Utes won the doubles title at the UNLV Invitational and had advanced to the semifinal round of the ITA Mountain Region Championships following four-straight wins.
Hekking has consistently moved up in the singles lineup during her time as a Ute and this year played at the No. 3 position where she collected six wins. She downed Britt Pursell from No. 33 Denver in three sets (3-6, 7-5, 6-0) to aid Utah in upsetting the Pioneers. Hekking was 6-0 against Mountain Region opponents in singles spring play.
Along with playing a crucial role on the court, Hekking also dedicated substantial efforts to her academics. Hekking graduated in May after double-majoring in Sociology and Human Development & Family Studies. She is a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic second-team selection and two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete. This past spring semester, Hekking was named to the Dean's List for holding a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
"The greatest pain in life is the pain of regret," said Hekking on her decision to return another year. "I was not willing to move on knowing I could have done something more! I am returning another season because I feel our team and I have unfinished business from last season!"
"One of the hardest things from this past season was not being able to see Whit finish her senior year," said head coach Ric Mortera. "To say we are excited to have her back would be an understatement. She took such a great leap in not only her game, but more importantly in her leadership this past season. We are greatly looking forward to the continued positive impact she is going to have on this team and program."
With Hekking announcing her return, the Utah women's tennis team will return all members of this year's current team, which includes keeping their top duo of Hekking and Madison Tattini intact. Hekking and Tattini finished the shortened season ranked No. 12 in the nation in doubles with a 12-1 record.
The Kaysville, Utah native was named the ITA Mountain Region's Most Improved Senior after playing in the No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles positions this year and having continual improvement throughout her career. Highlighting this past spring season, Hekking and Tattini notched 12-straight doubles wins to begin the season. The duo knocked off the nation's No. 3-ranked doubles team from No. 12 UCF early on in the season and also picked up notable wins against top duos from Minnesota, Ole Miss and No. 33 Denver to reach the ranking of No. 12 in the NCAA.
Including fall play, Hekking and Tattini went 20-3 overall. The pair of Utes won the doubles title at the UNLV Invitational and had advanced to the semifinal round of the ITA Mountain Region Championships following four-straight wins.
Hekking has consistently moved up in the singles lineup during her time as a Ute and this year played at the No. 3 position where she collected six wins. She downed Britt Pursell from No. 33 Denver in three sets (3-6, 7-5, 6-0) to aid Utah in upsetting the Pioneers. Hekking was 6-0 against Mountain Region opponents in singles spring play.
Along with playing a crucial role on the court, Hekking also dedicated substantial efforts to her academics. Hekking graduated in May after double-majoring in Sociology and Human Development & Family Studies. She is a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic second-team selection and two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete. This past spring semester, Hekking was named to the Dean's List for holding a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
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