Kate Fakih (Photo: Cary Qian)
Fakih Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
January 29, 2025 | Women's Tennis
ROSEMONT, Ill. โ UCLA's Kate Fakih added to her growing list of Big Ten Conference weekly awards when she was named the league's Women's Tennis Freshman of the Week for Jan. 22-28, it was announced Wednesday.
The Bruins earned their first ITA National Team Indoor Championships berth since 2021 when they defeated Washington 4-0 at Los Angeles Tennis Center (Jan. 25). Fakih was on court for both clinching points.
The all-freshman doubles duo of Fakih and Olivia Center downed No. 115 Sophie Luescher/Erika Matsuda 6-3 on Court 2 to secure the initial point. The UCLA tandem, ranked fourth nationally, is now 16-3 overall and 11-3 against nationally-ranked foes.
In singles play, with the Bruins leading 3-0, Fakih provided the ticket-punching win. Facing off with former USC Trojan McKenna Koenig, Fakih prevailed 6-3, 6-4. Fakih has now clinched both of UCLA's victories and has a team-high 16 singles victories against five losses.
Fakih was previously named Big Ten Women's Tennis Player of the Week twice during the fall. Teammate Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer has also been tabbed Player of the Week once in the Bruins' first season as a member institution.
2025 BIG TEN WOMEN'S TENNIS FRESHMEN OF THE WEEK
The Bruins earned their first ITA National Team Indoor Championships berth since 2021 when they defeated Washington 4-0 at Los Angeles Tennis Center (Jan. 25). Fakih was on court for both clinching points.
The all-freshman doubles duo of Fakih and Olivia Center downed No. 115 Sophie Luescher/Erika Matsuda 6-3 on Court 2 to secure the initial point. The UCLA tandem, ranked fourth nationally, is now 16-3 overall and 11-3 against nationally-ranked foes.
In singles play, with the Bruins leading 3-0, Fakih provided the ticket-punching win. Facing off with former USC Trojan McKenna Koenig, Fakih prevailed 6-3, 6-4. Fakih has now clinched both of UCLA's victories and has a team-high 16 singles victories against five losses.
Fakih was previously named Big Ten Women's Tennis Player of the Week twice during the fall. Teammate Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer has also been tabbed Player of the Week once in the Bruins' first season as a member institution.
2025 BIG TEN WOMEN'S TENNIS FRESHMEN OF THE WEEK
| Week | Freshman |
| Jan. 15 | Emily Sartz-Lunde, Michigan |
| Jan. 22 | Patsy Daughters, Oregon |
| Jan. 29 | Kate Fakih, UCLA |
Players Mentioned
UCLA W. Tennis Postmatch - Olivia Center & Kate Fakih (Nov. 23, 2024)
Sunday, November 24
Media Availability - Coach Sampras Webster (May 15, 2024)
Thursday, May 16
NCAA First and Second Rounds
Friday, May 03
Postmatch Interviews: Fangran Tian/Rance Brown (May 27, 2023)
Saturday, May 27